‘Peace campaign gaining’

From the Visayan Daily Star (Feb 21): ‘Peace campaign gaining’

Maj. Gen. Aurelio Baladad, 3rd Infantry Division commander, said recently that the Bayanihan campaign of the Armed Forces of the Philippines continues to gain ground in Negros and Panay island in its winning the peace campaign, because of the convergence of efforts from all stakeholders in the region.

In his report, Baladad said Aklan has already been declared insurgency-free, with Antique also declared last year as Manageable Conflict-Affected and Development-Ready, because the 3ID was able to degrade the capability of the CPP-NPA-NDF of further expansion.

Not a single encounter with the NPA was recorded in Antique in the past two years, military records show.

The AFP is also preparing for the eventual turnover of the peace and order security of Negros Oriental to the local government unit, as the 302nd Infantry Brigade has successfully addressed the security threats of the NPA, with the Komiteng Rehiyonal Sentral Bisayas having moved out of the province, reports said.

The AFP recently conferred on Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. and Capiz Gov. Victor Tanco the “Bayanihan” award as partners from the local government unit that significantly contributed to the AFP mission of “Winning the Peace”.

Military records show that the 3ID was able to neutralize 66 CPP-NPA-NDF members last year, with 44 abandoning the armed struggle and joining the mainstream society; while 17 were apprehended by virtue of arrest warrants, and five were killed in encounters.

Maj. Rey Tiongson, 3ID spokesman, said 44 NPA camps, including 24 in Negros, were discovered and seized due to the vigilance of the citizens in reporting the presence of lawless armed elements, and because of intensified peace and development activities.

Tiongson said the return of several NPA members to democratic folds and the abandonment of their camps are indications of the waning rebel organization in the region.

Last year, the 3ID also recovered 20 high-powered firearms, and 41 low-powered guns, including those surrendered for availment of cash assistance under the AFP Guns for Peace program, he also said.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2014/February/21/negor4.htm