The Philippine Army has vowed to strengthen security
measures in Kapatiran resettlement areas in Negros Occidental amid concerns
raised on the safety of an identified site in northern Negros .
Kapatiran is formerly the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa-Pilipinas/Revolutionary
Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPM-P/RPA-ABB) Tabara-Paduano Group
which is set to sign a closure peace agreement with the government.
The three settlement sites in the province will be
established in Barangay Palampas, San Carlos
City ; Barangay Gawahon, Victorias City ;
and Barangay Locotan, Kabankalan
City
Victorias City Mayor Francis Federick Palanca has expressed
concerns over the possible implications of the establishment of a resettlement
area in Barangay Gawahon to the city’s eco-tourism program.
In a letter sent to the Provincial Peace and Order Council,
Palanca called for the conduct of consultations with the residents of Gawahon.
He said the presence of RPA-ABB members may attract the New
People’s Army (NPA) and may cause confrontations.
The RPA-ABB is a breakaway group of the NPA.
Palanca said he is not against the former RPA-ABB members to
have a settlement site in his city. "I want them to live a normal
life."
However, the mayor said he is concerned that the area is
near the eco-park, which they are developing into an economic zone.
Col. Jon Aying, commander of the Army’s 303rd Infantry
Brigade, dismissed the apprehension of Palanca, saying the establishment of the
resettlement area will further strengthen the security of the place.
“Actually, we already have contingencies on how to protect
the area and this can benefit the eco-park. We will strengthen the security
measures there because we will integrate the forces from three detachments -
two in E.B. Magalona town and one in Victorias
The possible resettlement of the Kapatiran will actually
improve the productivity, growth, and development of the area, Aying added.
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