Gazmin, Bautista lead declaration rite today

From the Visayan Daily Star (May 7): Gazmin, Bautista lead declaration rite today

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Armed Forces chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista are expected to lead the signing and declaration of Negros Oriental as “conflict manageable and development ready” in Dumaguete City, today.

Other top military and police officials in regions 6 and 7, among them Maj. Gen. Aurelio Baladad, 3ID commander, and Maj. Gen. John Bonafos, AFP Central Command chief in Visayas, are also attending the activity, Maj. Rey Tiongson, 3rd Infantry Division spokesman, said yesterday.

Brig. Gen. Francisco Patrimonio, 302nd Infantry Brigade commander, who supervises the internal security operations in Negros Oriental, said the term “conflict manageable and development ready” refers to the reduction of the insurgency problem in the province to an insignificant level, and the civilian government will now take the lead in addressing it.

The recommendation of the Philippine Army to declare Negros Oriental as such was approved by the Provincial Peace and Order Council of Negros Oriental, chaired by Gov. Roel Degamo.

In 2011 and 2013, the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division also declared the provinces of Aklan and Antique as “manageable conflict-affected and development ready areas”.

The military noted that the NPA is still active in the provinces of Negros Occidental, Iloilo and Capiz.

Patrimonio said they are not pulling out from Negros Oriental, although there will be a shift in their roles.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2014/May/07/negor4.htm