Commanders of the military and police in Negros Oriental
assured Wednesday that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the
Philippine National Police (PNP) in the province remain united amid perceived
“animosity” between the two organizations following the Mamasapano debacle.
The commanders gave their assurance as the country
commemorated the 29th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution in 1986
that toppled the Marcos dictatorship with a Unity Walk attended by AFP and PNP
officials in Metro Manila Wednesday morning.
The country also observed the one month anniversary of the
clash in Mamasapano, Maguindanao that left 44 PNP Special Action Force
commandoe dead on the same day.
“The Unity Walk emphasized the continuing strong bond
between the AFP and the PNP,” said Col. Allan Martin, commander of the 302nd
Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army based in Tanjay City
“Inspite of the Mamasapano incident, the good relationship
and coordination between the two organizations, especially in Negros Oriental,
will stay strong,” Col. Martin further said.
Another Army commander also reiterated Col. Martin’s
pronouncement, adding that they will continue to work hand in hand with the PNP
to achieve their goals according to their mandate.
“Your Philippine Army, particularly here in Negros , joins the whole nation in the celebration of the
EDSA anniversary. We shall remain united, professional and focused on our
mandate,” said Lt. Col. Harold Anthony Pascua, commanding officer of the 79th
Infantry Battalion, based in Siaton, Negros Oriental.
“We have established chain of command and sets of policies,
rules and regulations to follow,” Pascua added.
The same is true for the Negros Oriental PNP Provincial
Office, headed by OIC provincial director, Sr. Supt. Mariano Natuel, Jr., who
said that peace and order can be achieved in the province with both
organizations working together.
“We have a very, very good and harmonious relationship.
Peace and order can only be achieved if we are all united,” said Sr. Supt.
Natuel.
According to him, “authority emanates from the people and
(the) people’s voice may be the will of God”.
Natuel, speaking in behalf of the men and women of NOPPO,
vowed to uphold and abide by the law and strengthen their commitment to serve and
protect the people.
“Let us not be an instrument to lawlessness but rather an
instrument of peace,” Natuel stressed.
As an example of their unity to achieving peace, the
commanders pointed to the declaration of Negros Oriental as “conflict
manageable and development ready”, a status that has downgraded the insurgency
problem in the province to an insignificant level.
With this, some areas formerly affected by the insurgency
and which have been cleared are now under PNP coverage while the Army continues
to secure a few more areas still experiencing such problem.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=739012
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