Peace and Devt Agreement signed in DavOr town

From the Philippine Information Agency (Nov 13): Peace and Devt Agreement signed in DavOr town

The Armed Forces and the municipal government inked formally Monday the memorandum of agreement citing the lead role of the San Isidro Municipal Peace and Order Council in the internal security operation in the area. San Isidro Mayor Edgar Flor Saulon signed the agreement as chair of the MPOC with Lt. Colonel Francisco Lorenzo, Jr., commanding officer of the 28th Infantry Battalion in behalf of the military. The local chief executive said it is high time that the local government needs to address the dissent that causes insurgency. “I understand that we can address insurgency not only through the military option but through the local government taking a lead role. Eventually, we can attain peace and development in our community,” Saulon said. Colonel Rey Leonardo Guerrero, commander of the 701st Infantry Brigade declared that the San Isidro town is already cleared from the presence of the rebels. He said that for the past two years, no insurgency-related harassment happened in the area. “In this ceremony, we will tell everyone that we are open for business. This place has been peaceful for two years now. This is the direction that the Davao Oriental Provincial government wants, to finish the clearing operation this year and in January 2013, development will go full blast,” Guerrero said....

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=2381352769007