• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Wednesday that the Philippine Army will not pull out its forces in the province despite the dismantling of all New People’s Army (NPA) guerrilla fronts in Negros Island.
The statement was made by Lacson as the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (ID) recommended placing Negros Island under the state of stable internal peace and security (SIPS) to concerned local chief executives after its conditions have been met.
Lacson said the Regional Peace and Order Council-Western Visayas, which he chairs, will meet on March 13 to discuss the declaration as a collegial body.
“Obviously, we recognize the gains and accomplishments of the Philippine Army. On the part of the local government units (LGUs), it is our civic duty to stay in that gains, by providing assistance to previously conflicted areas,” he added.
In a statement, Maj. Gen. Marion Sison, commander of 3ID, who supervises the internal security operations of six battalions in Negros Island, said the SIPS declaration in a locality will attract new investments, generate more jobs, and provide more opportunities to Negrenses.
The 3ID earlier declared that all five NPA Army guerrilla fronts in Negros Island have been dismantled but focused military operations against rebel remnants are still ongoing to prevent them from recovering their lost territories and recruiting new members.
“We cannot just rest on the availability of the Philippine Army to secure those areas, the LGUs really have to do their part,” Lacson said. | GB
