Reporter: In 2020, the Border Guard force undertook more tasks than in previous years. Could you please share some outstanding achievements of the force in the last year?
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Lieutenant General Do Danh Vuong |
Lt. Gen Do Danh Vuong: In 2020, under the leadership of the Central Military Commission (CMC) and Ministry of National Defense (MND), the whole border guard force overcame numerous difficulties to well fulfill all assigned missions. Notably, the Border Guard Command and Party Organization actively made recommendations to the CMC and MND so that the latter could issue timely solutions to settle unexpected situations over national border, seas and islands.
In addition, they also focused on instructing and making good preparation for Party congresses at all levels under the Border Guard Command, maintaining combat readiness posture, and being ready to deal with unexpected cases in border areas. The Drug and Crime Prevention force of the Border Guard Command successfully detected hundreds of cases; together with other forces arrested nearly 12,000 cases with more than 41,000 suspects , seized more than 3.1 tons of drugs of all kinds, and temporarily seized smuggled goods worth more than VND 82 billion. Administrative reform work at international border gates was also boosted, contributing to local socio-economic development.
Especially, border guards have overcome many difficulties to well fulfill dual-missions including border area protection and COVID-19 prevention and control work.
Reporter: How was the COVID-19 prevention and control work implemented, General?
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Troops conducting patrol in harsh weather conditions |
Lt. Gen Do Danh Vuong: Right after the pandemic broke out in China and spread to other countries, under the leadership of the government, CMC and MND, with the spirit of “fighting the epidemic is like fighting an enemy”, we deployed over 2,000 troops from coastal provinces and military cadets to border provinces. More than 1,600 teams and checkpoints with over 7,500 troops have been staying in border areas to conduct patrols and control illegal border crossings so as to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to the country.
Reportedly, nearly 40,000 people that had illegally entered the country were detected and moved to quarantine areas by the border guard force. Meanwhile, they also boost dissemination to raise local border people’s awareness of COVID-19 prevention and control.
Reporter: This Lunar New Year, the duty of safeguarding the Fatherland’s borderline will be more special than ever, isn’t it?
Lt. Gen Do Danh Vuong: Absolutely, implementing instructions of the Secretariat, CMC and MND in ensuring combat readiness and organizing a happy and safe Lunar New Year 2021, the Border Guard Command and Party Organization directed its affiliated units to build plans and mobilize troops and vehicles to protect border areas, while identifying the sabotage plots and tactics of hostile forces and detecting illegal border crossings to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Currently, COVID-19 has still seen complicated developments in many countries. Meanwhile, many overseas Vietnamese want to retun to the homeland to avoid the pandemic and welcome the Lunar New Year. Many of them had illegally crossed the boder to avoid quarantining. Therefore, the special task during this year’s Tet holiday for the border guard force is to raise high alert to fulfill their dual-missions. Almost all of them will welcome the New Year’s Eve moment at checkpoints in border areas to fulfill their pioneering and core role on the front line of the fight against the COVID-19.
Reporter: Could you send greeting messages of the Border Guard Command and Party Organization to the families of those who are on duty in border areas during the Tet holiday?
Lt. Gen Do Danh Vuong: Our troops have always been aware of their missions in protecting the national border sovereignty, especially in the current context. Being away from families and to stay in the border of the country is both honor and responsibility, and at the ame time the sacrifice of each officer, soldier and their family. Over a last year, tens of thousands of border guard soldiers had to sleep and eat in the forest to protect the country.
Thanks to the silent support and sharing of their family, the troops could fulfill assigned tasks. The Border Guard Command and Party Organization are grateful to their family and wished them good health and happiness on the occasion of the lunar New Year.
Meanwhile, the Border Guard Command also cared for the troops’ material and spiritual lives, to ensure a happy and safe Tet for them.
The whole border guard force are committed to try our best to well fulfill all assigned missions entrusted by the Party, State, military and people.
Reporter: Thank you!
Translated by Minh Anh