Army holds more peace fora in south Palawan towns

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 19): Army holds more peace fora in south Palawan towns

The 18th Special Forces Company (SFC) of the Philippine Army (PA) on Wednesday again led a security forum in southern Palawan to further strengthen the military’s ties with the locals and to maintain momentum in the fight against insurgency.

The forum for security, which was held in the far-flung municipality of Rizal, was an offshoot of two similar activities organized by the Joint Task Group South (JTGS) on May 16 and on October 3 this year, said Captain Wanel Ansa, environment unit and civil military officer of the Marine Battalion Landing Team-4 (MBLT-4) on Thursday.

Captain Anthony Macatual, commander of 18th SFC, headed the first-ever security forum in Barangay Punta Baja, Rizal in partnership with the municipal government and other local stakeholders.

Ansa said the forum engaged the said town’s business sector, discussing with them updates on the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CNN), Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), crime index, and other action plans.

“Rizal Mayor Norman Ong also delivered his message and answered questions during the open forum. He gave emphasis on the LGUs projects and programs to address the current security threats,” said Ansa.

Lt. Col. Danilo Facundo, commanding officer of MBL-4 and head of the JTGS, was at the event and expressed his appreciation to the organizers, partners, and participants.

He appealed to the audience “to strengthen relationships and cooperation through information sharing,” emphasizing that “security is a shared responsibility and that everybody must do their part to support the economic development of Rizal.”

Jose P. Rizal, a first class town in the southern part of Palawan, has a population of 50,096 people, based on a 2010 census.

Prior to its creation as a separate municipality, the place was known as Tarumpitao Point and was part of the town of Quezon.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/1013233