PA: Antique, Aklan now conflict manageable areas

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 26): PA: Antique, Aklan now conflict manageable areas

Philippine Army (PA) MGen. Aurelio B. Baladad, Commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, said that Antique and Aklan provinces in Panay island are now being considered conflict manageable areas, thus, they are focusing their clearing operations in Capiz and by next year in Iloilo province.

Baladad, who presided the turnover of command of the PA 301st Brigade that covers Panay island, said that Antique and Aklan provinces are being considered conflict manageable areas with the strength of the New People’s Army (NPA) now weakened and the occurrence of violent incidents reduced.

”The Local Government Unit (LGU) can now manage the peace and order problem,” Baladad said, explaining why the provinces of Antique and Aklan are now conflict manageable areas.

Meanwhile, Baladad said that the Army is focusing on clearing Capiz province this year with its 23 barangays still being influenced by the NPA.

“Next year we will focus again in Iloilo,” Baladad said. He said that Iloilo province still has around 70 barangays being influenced by the NPA.

He said that most affectations are along the boundaries of Capiz and Iloio provinces in Panay island. He mentioned the mountainous Bucari in Leon, Calinog in Iloilo province and Tapaz town in Capiz.

He added that the clearing of areas from the influence of the NPA does not strictly mean military cross fires but the offering of Comprehensive Reintegration Program “to vulnerable pockets of society” and to give them skills to go back to mainstream society.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=676670