Marañon says Negros Occidental is peaceful despite rebel atrocities

From the Sun Star-Bacolod (Dec 30): Marañon says Negros Occidental is peaceful despite rebel atrocities

NEGROS Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. said Tuesday that the province remains peaceful in the wake of the atrocities perpetrated by the New People’s Army (NPA).

“(Based on) our experience, the province is peaceful,” he added.

Marañon dismissed the claim of the NPA that the declaration of the province as “peaceful and ready for development” is just an “illusion.”

The governor reiterated his call on the rebels to come down and return to mainstream society.

“Life is hard in the mountains. Your children will have no future,” he said.

The Philippine Army had earlier said the recent travel advisory issued by the US Embassy to its nationals visiting southern Negros is not affecting the tourism industry in Negros Occidental.

Colonel Francisco Delfin, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade based in Murcia town, said the arrival of American tourists in the province is not affected by the travel alert, probably because of the peace efforts of the local officials.

“In fact, increase in tourist arrivals in the province has been (noticeable),” Delfin said.
The travel advisory issued on December 23 said it was based on recent statements by Philippine security officials regarding an increase in the Terrorist Threat Level to Level III (High) in seven cities and nine provinces across the country.

They indicated that provinces under increased terrorism alert are Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato, Maguindanao, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, and Sulu, all in Mindanao; Palawan, southern Negros Island, and Boracay Island (Aklan), the US security message said.

Delfin said maybe the basis for such travel alert could be the recent series of encounters in southern Negros, but he added that Negros Island is generally peaceful.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/local-news/2015/12/30/maranon-says-negros-occidental-peaceful-despite-rebel-atrocities