Central Visayas to remain insurgency free: CentCom

From the Visayan Daily Star (Sep 1): Central Visayas to remain
insurgency-free: CentCom

Maj. Gen.l Nicanor Vivar, newly-installed commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Central Command (CentCom) based in Camp Lapu-Lapu in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City, vowed to help Central Visayas provinces maintain their insurgency-free status.

Vivar made the assurance to Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III during a courtesy call at the Cebu Capitol recently.

The AFP CentCom declared Cebu and Bohol provinces insurgency-free in 2009. On May 31 this year, the Regional Peace and Order Council 7 also announced that Siquijor is free of insurgents, and Negros Oriental is “on its way” to becoming insurgency-free.

The RPOC 7 also declared that the whole Central Visayas is “conflict manageable” and a “development-ready” region.

Major General John Bonafos, former Centcom chief, said violent incidences have “weakened or minimized” in these areas.

Vivar said AFP is aiming to make all of the three regions in the Visayas as “conflict manageable” by 2016. Vivar assumed as the new Centcom commander on August 15 after Bonafos has been transferred to higher headquarters as vice chief of staff.

Vivar, a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Sandigan” Class of 1982, was the former commander of the Philippine Air Force 3 rd Air Division, based at the Edwin Andrews Air Base in Zamboanga City.

He has received numerous commendations, like the Distinguished Service Star, Presidential Medal of Merit, Bronze Cross Medals, Silver Wing Medal and the Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao Campaign Medals.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2014/September/01/negor1.htm