By Venus May H. Sarmiento

PANGASINAN - Officers and members of the 71st Infantry Battalion are saddened by the action of some of their fellow soldiers in the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Commander Lt. Gregory Cayetano said the 71st IB is dismayed that their fellow soldiers appeared ready to turn their backs from their duty and loyalty to the chain of command.He said even if they do not like to fight fellow soldiers, they will be forced to act against rebel officers who become threats to national security.

“Communists are waiting for our fight to destabilize the government. Because they know if the AFP weakens, the government also weakens. The (strength and) weakness of a government is the Armed Forces. If this group fights, the government is doomed,” Cayetano said.

The battalion will remain on alert on orders from their superiors.

“Whatever is the order of our superiors, we will follow. Because it is our mandate to protect this country, and we will protect it,” Cayetano stressed

Cayetano clarified that the 71st IB remains loyal to the government even if AFP is suffering from a bad image. (PIA-Pangasinan)