Negros Occidental gears up for conflict management declaration - AFP

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 20): Negros Occidental gears up for conflict management declaration - AFP

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is preparing Negros Occidental for conflict management declaration after Negros Oriental was earlier declared “conflict manageable and development ready.”

Lt. Gen. John Bonafos, chief of AFP Central Command, said they have noted a marked improvement in the peace and development campaign of the Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade in Negros Occidental in partnership with local government units and multi-sectoral groups.

Being “conflict manageable and development ready” refers to the reduction of the insurgency problem in the province to an insignificant level such that the civilian government will now take the lead in addressing issues and concerns related to it.

Bonafos attended the “Marching for Peace, Serving the Countryside” activity of the Provincial Peace Integration and Development Unit of the Provincial Peace and Order Council in Barangay San Agustin, Isabela Thursday.

The civic action in Isabela town is part of the 12-day activity in five remote villages in the Fifth District.

The one-stop-shop activity in each village caters to the immediate needs of the people and work on long-term needs of depressed communities in tandem with multi-stakeholders, including the Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police.

The next stop is in Barangay Biao, Binalbagan on June 21 followed by Barangay Carabalan, Himamaylan City, June 23, and Barangay Buenavista, Himamaylan City, June 26.

A peace rally will be held at the Himamaylan City Public Plaza on June 26, 6 p.m., to culminate the 12-day activity.

“There is a need for an immediate follow-up to bring the development aspect to the conflict-affected communities,” Bonafos said.

The AFP official said the overwhelming support of the people of Negros Occidental to the military’s peace and development campaign shows that they are already fed up with violence, and want peace to reign in their communities.

Declaring an area “conflict manageable and development ready” indicates state of normalcy, with the insurgency problem already in an insignificant level, Bonafos said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=655529