The newly-installed commander of the Philippine Army’s 302nd Infantry Brigade based in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental on Wednesday expressed optimism to attain a zero-insurgency status in the province.
Col. Allan Martin, in an interview with reporters immediately after his installation as the new brigade commander Wednesday, pointed out that it has always been the aspiration of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to attain a zero-armed group in Negros Oriental.
It could be very difficult, he admitted, but if Bohol was able to do it, then Negros Oriental could also do the same, Martin said.
Martin said he would try his best to carry on the accomplishments of his predecessor, Brig. Gen. Francisco Patrimonio.
The brigade has done so much under the leadership of Patrimonio and there are activities, programs and projects that have already been aligned, he noted.
Martin also expressed hope of continued support from residents as well as other government agencies in achieving peace and prosperity in the province.
The declaration of the province last month as conflict manageable and development ready in relation to the insurgency was a product of the support and help given by the local officials and the public in general, he added.
Martin officially assumed his post Wednesday in a change of command ceremony presided by Maj. Gen. Aurelio Baladad, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division based in Jamindan, Capiz.
Baladad, in his message, lauded and thanked Patrimonio for the many accomplishments the different Army units under the brigade had earned during his more than two years stint with the 302nd brigade.
At the same time, Baladad encouraged and challenged Martin to do his best in pursuing the activities of the brigade in its quest for peace and development in Negros Oriental.
While Negros Oriental has already been declared as conflict manageable and development ready, the task on hand now is to sustain that status and continue working towards an insurgency-free Negros Oriental.
In the meantime, government forces still have to deal with a bigger problem of attending to the insurgency problem in the adjacent province of Negros Occidental, Baladad said.
The New People’s Army, the armed component of the Communist Party of the Philippines/National Democratic Front, has reportedly dwindled in numbers, particularly in its armed members in Negros Oriental, the Army said.
But there is still an NPA force to reckon with in Negros Occidental and the Army must ensure there will be no spillover of the rebels to Negros Oriental.
Patrimonio, for his part, thanked the troops, civilian officials, various civic groups and non-government organizations, for their untiring and full support to the brigade’s programs and projects that have played an important part in the brigade’s accomplishments in the past two years or so.
Patrimonio, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class ’82 and a mistah of Baladad, will be assigned as the latter’s deputy division commander of the 3ID.
Present during the turnover of command ceremony at the brigade headquarters in Camp Leon Kilat, Tanjay City, were Vice Gov. Mark Macias, other local officials, heads of government agencies and offices, partners in the different sectors, the media, and officials of the Philippine Army’s various units in Negros Island, among others. (PNA)
