8th ID says it scores heavily vs. NPAs

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 8): 8th ID says it scores heavily vs. NPAs
 
The Samar-based 8th Infantry Division said it had scored heavily against the New People’s Army group operating in Eastern Visayas during the first seven months of the year.

The most significant accomplishment of the unit was the joint declaration of Eastern Samar as “Manageable Conflict-Affected and Development-Ready Area” in a ceremony last March 26, 2013 at the Capitol Building in Borongan City, Eastern Samar.

The declaration makes the province ready for economic investment and sustainable development as experienced in Cebu, Bohol, Biliran, Leyte and Southern Leyte.

It is in these areas where businesses started to thrive and attract investments when they were declared as Manageable Conflict-Affected and Development-Ready Area.

Other significant accomplishments of the 8th Infantry Division included the arrest of 15 NPA insurgents, 5 of whom held key and high positions in the CPP-NPA hierarchy in the region; recovery of 17 high powered firearms and 23 low-powered firearms; neutralization of seven NPA insurgents during encounters; surrender of 101 rebels composed of 20 NPA insurgents and 81 NPA organized mass members; and the discovery and seizure of 77 NPA camps.

In these provinces, insurgency-related problems have become manageable and reduced to mere police concern.

Local chief executives of Samar and Northern Samar are looking forward to yearend 2013 and 2014, respectively, when their provinces become truly insurgency free and to be declared also MCADRA.

The successes of 8th Infantry Division can be attributed to the implementation of Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) “Bayanihan” and its wide-acceptance by and among stakeholders.

Through “Bayanihan” 8th Infantry Division troops have become effective agents of peace in the region showcasing adherence to and observance of human rights, rule of law and International Humanitarian Laws.

Due to the positive image created by “Bayanihan”, recently arrested and surrendered NPA leaders cooperated with the government in reaching out to other active NPA members to surrender and return to the folds of the law and restart a new life.

Maj. Gen. Gerardo T. Layug, 8th Infantry Division commander, said: “Winning the peace needs hard work, dedication, cooperation and collaboration. I am confident that with their zeal and enthusiasm, all stakeholders in Eastern Visayas will contribute for the attainment of peace and sustainable development in the region.”

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=553032