Albay insurgency-free by June – Army commander

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 25): Albay insurgency-free by June – Army commander

CAMP GEN. SIMEON A. OLA, Legazpi City -– By June, Albay province is insurgency-free, a top Philippine Army official said.

Col, Raul Farnacio, commanding officer of the 901st Infantry Brigade, assured Albayanos that the insurgency problem in the province now is at a minimal level -- thus, his June timetable in setting the province as dissident-free.

Farnacio cited the continuous clearing operations his troops are doing against the New People's Army (NPA) in the area.

He said the rebels are now weakening in the villages of Legazpi City, Guinobatan, Camalig, Daraga and Jovellar which are under the process of being cleared by government troops.

The Army official said that anytime in June, they will already turn over to the Philippine National Police and the local Peace and Order Council the maintenance of peace, order and security in the entire province of Albay.

He, however, did not discount the possibility of the strong presence of the rebels in neighboring provinces who may launch offensives against their forces.

“But we are always ready for any eventuality,” Farnacio said.

In the past months and years, several top officials of the NPA have already been captured or killed.

“This is a big blow on the rebels,” the military commander said.

Albay Gov. Joey Sarte Salceda expressed satisfaction over Farnacio’s assurance of a rebel-free Albay by June as it will boost his program of bolstering tourism and business in the province.

Foreign tourists have been coming to Albay in the past months to visit the province’s various attractive tourist spots and enjoy the Albayano hospitality.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=619790