COTABATO CITY – Combat-trained soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are pursuing, under the Aquino administration, a new tactic in neutralizing rebels and insurgents – waging a “war without firing a shot.”

These paradigm-shifting AFP tacticians, who were part of tough combat operations that never won the age-old Mindanao conflict, are led in Southern Philippines by Marines Lt. Gen. Ben Dolorfino, head of the Western Mindanao Command.

Since his stint as Marine brigade commander in Lanao region with a rank of colonel, Dolorfino begun his campaign “war without bullets” and he is happy that his tactic has been gradually winning foothold in troubled areas of Mindanao.

Dolorfino noted that in Maguindanao and other parts of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), the Moro insurgency has not only resulted in the deaths of thousands and the loss of properties but also gripped the future of thousands others displaced by the fighting.

“The endless cycle of violence in Mindanao must end through a new multi-dimensional approach, if possible, without using the barrel of a gun or any weapon of destruction,” Dolorfino said during the meeting of the ARMM Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee held at the conference room of the Office of the Regional Governor here recently.

“We have had enough of this bloody scenario where the victims are brothers and fellow Filipinos. We must resolve our differences through negotiation and other peaceful means,” he said.

Dolorfino said the AFP’s standing order has been “to minimize the use of military force against the enemies.”

Dolorfino, now intimately called “Mohamad” after embracing Islam for almost a decade, has urged security forces to play role models in winning the hearts and minds of the people.

“We have to work together like broomsticks to sweep away poverty, poor governance, malpractice, abuses, arrogance, greed and other animosities that have hindered peace and progress,” said Dolorfino.