AFP declares Regions 1,2,3, Cordilleras ready for dev’t

From the Manila Bulletin (Jan 20): AFP declares Regions 1,2,3, Cordilleras ready for dev’t

Camp Aquino, Tarlac – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has declared the entire Regions 1,2,3 and Cordillera Administrative Region as generally peaceful and ready for further development, although there are still few remnants of the CPP/NPA operating in these areas.

“No more insurgency recruits in our area and I can say Northern and Central Luzon areas are peaceful and ready for further development,” Lt. Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang, Jr., Commander of Northern Luzon Command, told this correspondent.

Catapang said these remnants are just now resorting to extortion and arson to maintain their existence, adding the force of the rebels operating nationwide had been down to more or less 4,000, from 25,000 during their peak.

“I can safely say that Pampanga is now insurgency-free and that Gov. Lilia Pineda is right when she declared her province had been rid of rebels,” Catapang said.

The rebels justified their collecting money from the public by claiming these are revolutionary taxes, however.

Few days ago, top AFP and local government officials signed a Memorandum of Agreement , declaring Pampanga as insurgency-free and ready for further development.

Among those who took part in the ceremonial signing were AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista, Northern Luzon Command commander Lt. Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr., Army 7th Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Hernando Iriberri, Army 703rd Brigade commander Brig. Gen. Henry Sabarrre, Governor Lilia Pineda, Department of the Interior and Local Government Provincial Director Myrvi Fabia and Philippine National Police Provincial Director Sr. Supt. Oscar Albayalde.

In his message, Bautista said he was glad to be able to witness the transformation of Pampanga from a hot bed of socialist and anti-government movements to an insurgency-free area.

Bautista said the event is a historical one because it signifies the victorious quest against poverty and the plight of the people caused by rebel forces. This also puts an end to our 45 years of battle against insurgency, Bautista said.

For her part, Pineda acknowledged the efforts and hard work of all local chief executives and chiefs of police in all towns and cities in order to attain this status, adding the declaration will be a big boost not only in terms of internal peace and security, but also on the quality of life of Kapampangans.

Pineda said the declaration of the province as insurgency-free,” we are now confident that we can pull in more investors, can generate more revenues and more job opportunities which will in turn help in uplifting the quality of life of our people.

http://www.mb.com.ph/afp-declares-regions-123-cordilleras-ready-for-devt/