Presence of 'unidentified armed groups' in SurSur bared

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 29): Presence of 'unidentified armed groups' in SurSur bared

The presence of an “unidentified armed groups” in the hinterland barangays of, at least, two towns and one city in Surigao del Sur has been bared in a meeting on January 28, 2014 by the Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Committee (JPSCC) chaired by Governor Johnny Pimentel.

Although not contained in the separate briefing presented by Col. Alexander Macario, newly-installed commanding officer of the 401st Infantry Brigade under the 4th Infantry Division (4ID) of the Philippine Army (PA), and P/SSupt. Narciso Verdadero, acting provincial director of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Surigao del Sur, yet it came about during the course of the proceedings.

It was particularly brought out at length by Governor Johnny Pimentel and Vice-Gov. Manuel Alameda, Sr. before the presence of MGen. Oscar Lactao, 4ID commanding general, accompanied by all his top army officials, especially, from the 401st Infantry Brigade together with its battalion commanders, and P/SSupt. Verdadero, who all dropped by the Provincial Governor’s Office (PGO) first for a “courtesy call” before proceeding to the meeting venue of the JPSCC at the Villa Maria Luisa Hotel in this city. 
   
For his part, Vice-Gov. Alameda disclosed everything he knows about the said group, especially, those operating allegedly in San Agustin town, where his sister, Libertad, is the incumbent mayor.

The vice-governor stressed the armed group, whose members are wielding long, high-powered firearms, was estimated to be at 30 up to 70-strong.

Barobo Mayor Felixberto Urbiztondo, who came in a little earlier to discuss the matter with Gov. Pimentel, raised the same issue on armed group in his municipality.

In the course of the JPSCC meeting proper, Ceciro Bacolod, who was introduced as representative of Bislig City Mayor Librado Navarro, aired the same alarming presence of armed group in their area.

During the press conference,  MGen. Lactao, when asked for comment, said “that has been discussed by yours truly, governor, the vice-governor, the PD (Verdadero) and the brigade commander.”

Moreover, he stressed “So, the brigade commander and the (PNP) provincial director were already tasked by the governor to look at this matter and report to him after three days.”

Meanwhile, Lactao stressed that the plan of action “how they (Macario and Verdadero) will do it” still remains a “secret.”

Gov. Pimentel expressed he badly wanted to address the problem.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1741422503165/presence-of-unidentified-armed-groups-in-sursur-bared