National Defense Sec. Voltaire Gazmin led Wednesday’s signing of the declaration of Negros Oriental as a conflict manageable and development ready province.
The well-attended signing activity is seen as a first step forward for the Armed Forces of the Philippines to make a supporting role, allowing the provincial and local government units and the Philippine National Police to take the lead in the anti-insurgency campaign.
Gazmin, who was joined by key officials of the AFP and the PNP, as well as local officials, called the achievement of a conflict manageable and development ready status as a victory of the “bayanihan” spirit for lasting peace in the country.
Gazmin assured of national government support to guarantee the sustainability of the status until Negros Oriental will finally be declared insurgency-free.
The declaration means that the insurgency problem has been reduced to an insignificant level in Negros Oriental, with members of the New People’s Army, the armed component of the National Democratic Front/Communist Party of the Philippines, already dwindling, Army officials in the province explained.
The declaration, which comes days ahead of the extended June 2014 deadline set by the AFP to rid the province of Negros Oriental of the insurgency problem, is an accomplishment for the concerted efforts of the AFP, PNP, civil society groups, local governments and all other stakeholders who contributed in their own ways to achieve lasting peace, said Gazmin.
“Today we are here to renew our pledge of our constitutional duties as freedom loving people to value our liberties and we will resist any attempt to trample upon our democratic ideals. It should be known by all that we are all ready to safeguard our liberties and fulfill our social aspirations,” he said.
Gazmin said the signing of the declaration at the Negros Oriental Convention Center in Dumaguete City is “historic,” a reflection of the unity of the civil and military authorities to address insurgency in the province.
Negros Oriental, according to the military, is the only province in Central Visayas (Region 7) which is still insurgency-affected. Cebu, Bohol and Siquijor have already been cleared of the problem.
Military and police officials have reiterated previous announcements that there will be no pull out of Army troops from Negros Oriental following the declaration.
The police, through its Regional Public Safety Battalion, will just be deployed in areas already cleared of the insurgency while Army troops will still be covering those still affected by the remaining small pockets of NPA groups.
Aside from Gazmin, also present during the signing were Governor Roel Degamo, Bohol Governor Edgardo Chatto who is the chairman of the Regional Peace and Order Council, ranking AFP and PNP officials, Diocese of Dumaguete Bishop Julito Cortes, at least 10 mayors led by Amlan Mayor Bentham dela Cruz who heads the provincial League of Mayors, rebel returnees, and representatives from the various government agencies, non-government organizations, civil society and the private sector, among others. (PNA)
