Negros declaration as peaceful June 10

From the Visayan Daily Star (Jun 5): Negros declaration as peaceful June 10
           
The declaration and signing of Negros Occidental as peaceful and ready for further development is scheduled on June 10 in Bacolod City, with top military and police officials invited to witness the ceremony, Army spokesman Maj Rey Tiongson said yesterday.

The signing coincides the end of the tour of duty of Brig. Gen. Jon Aying in Negros Occidental as 303rd Infantry Brigade commander. He is due to assume a higher position as assistant AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans (J5).

Aying, who had worked for four years tapping stakeholders, including peace advocates, local government units, non-government and people's organizations, in the development of conflict-affected communities in Negros, said the declaration of Negros Occidental as peaceful and ready for further development was made by Negrenses who abhor violence.

Among those invited to the signing are Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, PNP officer-in-charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina, AFP chief of staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang, Army chief Lt. Gen. Hernando DCA Iriberri. Maj. Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero, 3rd Infantry Division commander, Chief Supt. Josephus Angan, regional police director of Western Visayas, Ma Lina Sanogal, action officer of the Provincial Peace Integration and Development Unit (Pro-PIDU), said.

The declaration transferred the lead role of maintaining internal security from the military to the local governments and the police. This is part of the military efforts to shift focus from internal security to territorial defense.

Gov. Alfredo Maranon Jr., who was among the AFP Bayanihan awardees, for his support to the peace and development campaign in Negros Occidental, is among those who will sign the declaration.

Tiongson said that they are still waiting for confirmation from the invited guests.

With the signing, Negros Occidental will join the provinces of Iloilo, Capiz, Antique, Aklan in Panay, Guimaras, Negros Oriental, Siquijor and Cebu, that were under the jurisdiction of the 3ID, as peaceful and ready for further development.

Guerrero said the improved security in Western Visayas resulted in the boom in business, major constructions, and an increase in the number of tourists and investors coming in during the past year.

He called on his troops and stakeholders to continue to work in the spirit of Bayanihan and nurture the peace to last for future generations to enjoy.

 

The signing of the declaration will be followed by the 303rd Infantry Brigade turnover of command ceremony between Aying and his successor, Col. Francisco Delfin, to be held at Camp Major Nelson Gerona in Brgy, Minoyan, Murcia.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2015/June/05/topstory6.htm