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This was the shared statement of key officials of the Philippine Army, the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the provincial government during a press conference Wednesday at the Capitol, days ahead of the May 7 grand affair at which Negros Oriental shall be officially declared “conflict manageable and development ready.”
The term “conflict manageable and development ready” has been coined in reference to the reduction of the insurgency problem in the province to an insignificant level such that the civilian government will now take the lead in addressing issues and concerns related to it.
Brig. Gen. Francisco Patrimonio, commander of the 302nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army, Sr. Supt. Mariano Natu-el, Jr., OIC PNP provincial commander, and Atty. Richard Enojo, provincial administrator and representing Governor Roel Degamo, were present at the press conference to enlighten the media on their respective roles once the resolution declaring the province as conflict manageable and development ready will take effect.
Brig. Gen. Patrimonio clarified that Negros Oriental is not insurgency-free although the number of members of the rebel New People’s Army (NPA), the armed component of the National Democratic Front (NDF) and the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) is dwindling.
According to him, there are less than 100 NPA members now operating in the province and only five barangays, two in
Patrimonio went on to say that the AFP, more particularly the Philippine Army, will not pull out from Negros Oriental but will see a shift in their roles once the province becomes officially conflict manageable and development ready.
This means that Army troops will concentrate their deployment in insurgency-affected areas while the PNP will be gradually introduced to villages that are now safe for the non-combat oriented policemen to manage.
Also, there will be no turn-over of the internal peace and security operations from the AFP to the PNP except for changes in the operational structure, Patrimonio added.
Sr. Supt. Natuel admitted that it will be a big challenge on the part of the PNP to take on such responsibility, considering the organization’s limitations in terms of capability, logistics and other resources.
Natuel stressed that policemen are not as highly trained on combat operations and are more inclined towards crime fighting and maintaining peace and order. Other limitations include firearms and other weapons as well as transportation, to name a few.
But, Natuel said the PNP is ready to take over the areas to be assigned them by the military in what he describes as an additional task to the police personnel.
Natuel also placed emphasis on the role of the civilian sector and other stakeholders in attaining lasting peace that will usher in potential investors and boost the economic climate of the province.
On the part of the provincial government, Atty. Enojo announced that the provincial government is fully prepared to take on the responsibilities in addressing concerns and issues complementary to efforts to declare it conflict manageable and development ready.
Enojo said the declaration of the province as conflict manageable and development ready is a way of informing the people of the real score and status of the peace and order condition of Negros Oriental.
The lawyer said this is also a way of enticing tourists, guests, visitors and investors to come to the province.
A peaceful setting would now present an image of Negros Oriental as conducive for business, investments and social visits as well as give peace of mind to everybody, he added.
Governor Degamo, who has repeatedly said his administration is fully supportive of efforts towards lasting peace in the province, was unable to attend the press conference due to a pressing appointment, Enojo said.
On May 7, Sec. Voltaire Gazmin of the Department of National Defense, General Emmanuel T. Bautista, chief of the Armed Forces of the
Another highlight of the day will be the signing of a joint letter directive for the implementation of the normalization process by officials representing the AFP, the PNP and the local government.
An array of activities has been lined up on May 7 to include sky-diving, biking, band drill exhibition, unity dance, dragon and lion dance, kite flying competition, “Magdula Ta” featuring Filipino games, a medical mission, and unveiling of the Bayanihan mural painting, among others.
The process includes the slow but continuous turn-over of the internal peace and security operations from the AFP to the PNP, Brig. Gen. Patrimonio explained.
Negros Oriental is the only province in Central Visayas or Region 7 which still faces the insurgency problem while Bohol,
The government, meanwhile, is targeting to declare Negros Oriental insurgency-free in another two years or so, according to Brig. Gen. Patrimonio.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=639372
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