Thursday, December 25, 2008 Teodoro holds private meet with bizmen By Edwin G. Espejo
DEFENSE Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. recently held a private meeting with local businessmen in a local hotel in General Santos City.
The unscheduled meeting was hastily called after Teodoro met with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in nearby Maasim town during the latter's visit in Sarangani Wednesday afternoon.
No details were released on the agenda of the two-hour meeting but sources said that among the issues taken up was the security situation in the region.
Teodoro reportedly assured business leaders that the provinces of Sarangani, South Cotabato and General Santos City have far lesser threats than other regions in Mindanao.
It was the second visit of the Defense chief in as many weeks.
On December 3, Teodoro likewise visited Maasim, Sarangani to lead the ceremonial repair of several school buildings at the Maasim Central Elementary School.
President Arroyo visited the school Wednesday last week to see the progress of the repair.
Teodoro later said he has given instructions to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to confiscate loose firearms held by civilians and arrest anyone illegally carrying guns.
He said the culture of guns should be eradicated to achieve peace in Mindanao.
"Only the AFP and the police have the authority to carry guns," he said.
"Even during rido (Muslim term for blood fued), I ordered the Army to arrest all parties involved not matter who they are and who is on the wrong and right side," Teodoro said.
He likewise clarified that the four-day suspension of military offensive in Christmas Day and Christmas Eve, as well as January 30 and New Year's Day against the communist rebels was declared to give government soldiers the chance to take a leave and be with their family.
Teodoro early this month said the government was not inclined to declare a Christmas truce with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its military wing, the New People's Army (NPA) unless "there is a compelling reason to do so."
