NegOr preps underway for ‘conflict manageable’ declaration

From the Philippine Information Agency (May 2): NegOr preps underway for ‘conflict manageable’ declaration

Negros Oriental will be finally declared as “conflict manageable and development ready province” on May 7 after several years of continued peace efforts by military and police forces with the support of provincial government.

Decades ago, the province had a reputation of having a high insurgency rate and is currently the only province in Central Visayas with insurgent activity. Cebu, Bohol and Siquijor are now all insurgency-free.

In a press conference recently, brigade commander of army’s 302nd Infantry Brigade, BGen. Francisco Patrimonio said fortunately, with the rigorous efforts, numbers of New People’s Army (NPA) have drastically decreased.

Proof of the success of government’s united efforts is the drastic reduction of the Southeast Guerrilla Front of the NPA and the failure to launch a major tactical offensive against troops for more than two years, BGen. Patrimonio said.

The brigade commander quoted the recent captured NPA leader Jesse Dacal-dacal saying: “Desperado na kami .. Insurgents within the province have had encounters with troops in non-traditional guerrilla quarters such as in Tanjay, Pamplona and Tayasan because they are continuously being driven out of their “comfort zones”.

Other than weakening the NPA armed forces, the local government has also been giving livelihood and cash incentives to rebel returnees to encourage them to return to the folds of law.

As to the status of the province, Patrimonio clarified that although Negros Oriental is ‘conflict-manageable and development ready’ much has yet to be done.

“It is not an insurgency-free province yet but we have reduced it to a very manageable level such that it cannot pose a serious threat to peace and order condition in the province,” he said.

Provincial Administrator Atty. Richard Enojo said that the declaration would positively affect the image of the province and contribute to economic and infrastructural growth.

Meanwhile, Sr. Supt. Mariano Natu-el sees it as a task for the NegOr PNP to tackle insurgency in addition to their stand against criminality.

After the declaration, the AFP, PNP and provincial government will be continuing their operations to finally make the province “insurgent-free”.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=1111399023554