Army activates 1st Negros Island Geographic Battalion in Negros Occidental

From the Philippine News Agency (May 16): Army activates 1st Negros Island Geographic Battalion in Negros Occidental

The 3rd Infantry Division (ID) of the Philippine Army activated the 1st Negros Island Geographic Battalion in Negros Occidental on Tuesday as part of the measures to strengthen internal security in the two Negros provinces.

The rites held at the Negros Occidental Multi-Purpose Activity Center (NOMPAC) here was led by Major General Jon Aying, commander of the 3rd ID, after the arrival honors given to Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. held at the Capitol grounds.

This is one step towards strengthening security (in Negros Island),” Aying said in his speech before government troopers.

The 1st Negros Island Geographic Battalion has an integrated force composed of regular and active Army soldiers, CAFGU Active Auxiliary (CAA) members, and Philippine Army reservists.

Aying said the 2nd Negros Island Geographic Battalion in Negros Oriental would be activated next.

He said the 3rd ID has a combined force of 46,000 personnel across six islands including Bohol, Cebu, Siquijor, Negros, Panay and Guimaras.

These include almost 4,962 regular and active Army troopers and officials, 4,700 CAA members, and 36,000 reservists.

Aying added that of the 10 provinces in the six islands, six are already insurgency cleared: Bohol, Cebu, Siquijor, Aklan, Antique and Guimaras.

The remaining four with insurgency concerns include Iloilo, Capiz, Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental.

The Army official cited three human-induced threats to national security which, in the case of the jurisdiction of the 3rd ID, include threat of communist insurgency, threat from violent/terrorist groups in Mindanao, and threat of illegal drugs.

He added climate change as the fourth threat.

To address these threats, Aying mentioned four peace and security strategic objectives. These include putting an end to communist insurgency, overcome the challenge of violent groups from Mindanao, fight illegal drugs, and lessen vulnerability of the public.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/988291