Army, PNP lauded for 'insurgency-free' Pangasinan

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 17): Army, PNP lauded for 'insurgency-free' Pangasinan

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan -- Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) members, through resolutions approved by the body on Monday, praised the relentless efforts of the Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in keeping Pangasinan insurgency-free.

Resolution nos. 1844 and 1845 have been authored and approved unanimously by all the SP members.

“The conferment of insurgency-free status to Pangasinan is not only beneficial to the province but also a welcome development,” said Board Member Jeremy Aguirico Rosario of the 4th District of Pangasinan in his speech during their regular session.

The province of Pangasinan was declared ‘insurgency-free’ on Thursday, after thorough assessment and evaluation by the Philippine Army here.

In an interview Friday, Brigadier General Lenard Agustin, chairman of the Area Clearing Evaluation Board of the Philippine Army, clarified that the declaration of the province as ‘insurgency-free’ does not mean that there is no rebel presence in the area.

“One of the bases for the declaration of the insurgency-free status is on how tight the rebel group’s grip in a certain area is. As for Pangasinan, we have assured that the rebel influence is minimal, close to nothing,” Agustin said.

However, the Armed Forces of the Philippines would not be too complacent on the status because the rebel forces could gather strength and may possibly reclaim their influence in the area, he added.

“There are still some rebel groups around the province –especially the Kilusang Larangang Gerilya Caraballo, which operates in nearby provinces such as Zambales, Tarlac, and Nueva Ecija,” Agustin further said.

These rebels, he noted, only pass through the province but do not stay here.

Officials urged the public to inform them of any unfamiliar faces in the community in order to prevent possible rebel groups from gathering more forces.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Army is keeping its guard up with the possible sortie of the New People’s Army (NPA) amid the busy relief operations for victims of Typhoon Ompong.

Lt. Col. Eugenio Julio Osias IV, spokesperson of the 7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division of the Philippine Army, said they consider the security aspects of relief operations.

“We have experienced numerous encounters with the rebel forces while we were busy transporting relief goods for affected citizens before. Ambush by the rebels could happen anytime,” said Osias.

The Army is ensuring that rebel attempts would not happen again and that they would be able to transport relief on time without any negative repercussions, he added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1048278