From the Philippine Star (Mar 15): Batanes
declared insurgency-free
The military has declared the province of Batanes as “insurgency free” and
has turned over the lead role of maintaining security to the local
government.
Commodore Nodolfo Tejada, chief of the Naval Forces Northern Luzon, said an
agreement transferring the internal security role to the local government was
signed last Tuesday by security forces and civilian leaders.
“With this declaration of Batanes as insurgency free, more investors and
tourists will come to invest and visit the serene and spectacular place in the
country and experience the hospitality of the people,” Tejada said in a
statement.
An area is declared insurgency-free if the strength of rebels within its
jurisdiction is too small to influence the livelihood of residents. The military
had previously admitted that the declaration does not necessarily mean the total
absence of insurgents.
The signing marked the first time a Navy unit handed over the internal
security operations responsibility to a province. Such turnovers are usually
spearheaded by Army units.
In this case, the Navy led the turnover since military sailors are the ones
frequently monitoring and securing the maritime waters of Batanes.
“Batanes will now be truly a model of a peace loving province in the country
and the safest place to live in on earth,” a Navy statement quoted Basco Mayor
Demetrius Paul Narag as saying.
Tejada assured the local leaders that the military would continue to work
closely with them to prevent the regrouping of rebels and to promote
development.
“Maritime security will be strengthened in the vast sea areas of Batanes to
abate the poaching and illegal fishing activities of foreign fishermen,” he
said.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/03/15/920069/batanes-declared-insurgency-free
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