Defense chief to negotiate cut in city's help

THE Department of National Defense expressed concern on the decision of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte to withdraw the City Government's support to the 1003rd Infantry Brigade (IB).

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin on Thursday said he wants to know in what context the decision was made.

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"Well, kaya ako pumunta rito, gusto ko ring makipag-usap sa kanila. Gusto kong malaman kung bakit nagkaganito," said Gazmin, who visited government troops based in Davao Region with Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Ricardo David.

Gazmin said is willing to make amends in winning the local government unit's trust back to the military's measures against insurgency in the region.

"Baka may pagkukulang ang sundalo o ano, then titignan natin paano natin maibabalik ung tiwala ng LGU officials sa amin," Gazmin said.

"Kailangan namin siguro magkausap baka hindi lang nagkakaintindihan or they must have a good reason for withdrawing their support. Baka hindi naman related sa kasuldaluhan, maybe realignment or may gusto silang project whatever, but I'm here to talk to them," Gazmin said.

The mayor said starting August this year she would withdraw aide for the 1003rd IB's operation support.

Duterte said she disagrees with the Army's counter-insurgency measures for the city as contained in the brigade's Internal Security Operations (ISO) submitted by brigade commander General Eduardo del Rosario on July 5, describing it as combat-heavy.