Responding to the call of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte to deploy military units in the all-out war against illegal drugs, Lieutenant Colonel Jose Dodjie Belloga Jr., of the 47th Infantry Battalion stationed in Bohol is now set to undergo a rapid tactical transition familiarization training fit for drug operations.

Belloga told DYRD Balita that as highly trained combat soldiers, the shift from military operations needs a different mindset and a mission specific training to serve as an augmentation force of the Philippine National Police in their campaign against illegal drugs.

Duterte plans to utilize AFP snipers in large scale drug operations.

“The role of a soldier is far different from the role of police officer”, stressed Belloga adding that “I believe that the involvement of soldiers in the fight against drugs will greatly minimize the drug trade in the country”.

Police deal with civilians and the domestic population while soldiers deal with combatants and foreign populations. Police are also trained for peacekeeping and apprehensions while soldiers are trained for combat, apprehension and peacekeeping.

According to the Constitutions, the Armed Forces of the Philippines is the protector of the people and the state. It;s goal is to secure the sovereignty of the State and the integrity of the national territory.

On the part of the police, the Constitution says that the state shall establish and maintain one police force, which shall be national in scope and civilian in character and controlled by national police commission.

The 300 strong Philippine Army soldiers in the province is augmented by members of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU). (Chito M. Visarra with reports from Allen Doydora)