Decline in insurgency threat in Pampanga attributable to IPSP 'Bayanihan' --PA

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 15): Decline in insurgency threat in Pampanga attributable to IPSP 'Bayanihan' --PA

The Philippine Army has attributed the decline in the insurgency threat in Pampanga to the first three years of implementation of the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) "Bayanihan" in the province.

IPSP is the military strategy wherein community development works are focused on insurgent-prone areas in a bid to deny the rebels an operating base.

Capt. Anthony Bacus, PA spokesperson, said the declaration of Pampanga as insurgent-free was done by Gov. Lilia G. Pineda, who is also the province's peace and order council head.

The declaration states that the province is now "peaceful and ready for further development."

To highlight this historic event, a memorandum of agreement (MOA) was signed Wednesday by Senior Supt. Oscar D. Albayalde, head of the Pampanga Provincial Police Office; Brig. Gen. Henry G. Sabarre, 703rd Infantry Brigade commander, and Pineda.

AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Emmanuel T. Bautista witnessed the MOA signing and the declaration of Pampanga as "peaceful and ready for further development."

Among the basis for declaring a province insurgency-free or cleared from communist terrorists' affectation and influence is the decrease in the communist terrorists' activities and the improved peace and order situation in the area.

Bacus indicated that the internal peace and security operations is divested from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and becomes the primary responsibility of the local government or the province.

To date, 34 provinces in various regions have been declared free from communist influence.

These are Biliran, Guimaras, Siquijor, La Union, Nueva Vizcaya, Romblon, Bohol, Apayao, Aurora, Cebu, Quirino, Tarlac, Cavite, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Marinduque, Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Kalinga, Southern Leyte, South Cotabato, Northern Leyte, Benguet, Aklan, Sarangani, Antique, Eastern Samar, Davao Oriental, Ilocos Sur, Batangas, Laguna, Batanes, Bulacan, and Pampanga.

Despite the turnover of the internal security operations responsibility to the province, Bacus said the PA will continue to work closely with the local government and the Philippine National Police to maintain the peace and security in the area, and to prevent the resurgence of communist insurgency.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=605311