With the military about to play a more active role in law enforcement operations especially in the neutralization of the illegal drugs trade, newly-appointed Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Lt. Gen. Ricardo Visaya assured the public they will be guided by the rule of law while performing these operations.
Earlier, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte said he is mobilizing the AFP to help the Philippine National Police in its campaign to eradicate criminality in the country.
Visaya is a member of Philippine Military Academy class of 1983, took command of the 125,000-strong AFP last July 1.
He replaced classmate Lt. Gen. Glorioso Miranda who served as acting AFP Chief since April.
Visaya earlier vowed to weed AFP personnel using illegal drug-users and those with links with illegal groups and activities.