Sunday, March 17, 2013

Antique declared insurgency-free

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 17): Antique declared insurgency-free

Economic development is expected to be felt in the province of Antique starting this year after Gov. Exequiel Javier and Major Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr. of 3rd Infantry Division jointly declared the province as insurgency-free recently.

Mabanta explained that the declaration of Antique as “manageable conflict-affected and development-ready” province means that CPP-NPA-NDFP’s capabilities in the area have been cut down.

“We were able to overcome the so-called fear of communist affectation. We are now moving out of that and ready to accept investment,” Mabanta added.

On the other hand, Javier said the declaration is an assurance that the army, together with the police, will continue their efforts in bringing peace and development in the province.

He is also enthusiastic that the vicious cycle of poverty in the province will slowly end as they open the province for business.

Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Alwine Almase, Commanding Officer of the 82nd Infantry Battalion based in Antique, said the declaration is a “victory” for the Antiqueños.

He also thanked other security stakeholders who made the declaration possible. Since January of last year, Almase said there has been no encounter between government forces and insurgents in the province.

Col. Arnold Quiapo, Commander of the 301st Infantry Brigade, for his part, vowed to continue their Bayanihan Team Activities in the hinterland barangays of Antique together with their partner agencies.

These Bayanihan activities include the implementation of government’s development programs such as Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, Alternative Learning System and KALAHI-CIDSS of Department of Social Welfare and Development.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=507842

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