• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC)-Western Visayas (Region 6) has endorsed the declaration of Negros Island Region (NIR) for a stable internal peace and security (SIPS) status as recommended by the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (ID).
“We will draft the resolution for the declaration and a letter for the President (Ferdinand Marcos Jr.), inviting him to declare the NIR in SIPS status,” Energy Undersecretary Giovanni Carlo Bacordo said.
Bacordo represented Energy Secretary Raul Lotilla, cabinet officer for regional development and security for RTF- ELCAC Western Visayas, during a recent meeting with the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines held in Iloilo City.
The NIR is composed of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Siquijor.
Negros Island was already placed in SIPS status, following the dismantling of the five NPA guerilla fronts, including neutralization of its key leaders, who were either killed or captured in gun battles or law enforcement operations, and its mass-based organizations, and clearing of all insurgency-affected barangays.
An area with a SIPS status means that it is considered cleared and unaffected by communist insurgents and relatively peaceful.
The 3ID, which supervises the Army units stationed in Western and Central Visayas regions, also sought the support of the RTF-ELCAC 6 to declare Panay Island as a SIPS zone.
“The declaration of SIPS is expected to further bolster development initiatives, attract investments, and create a more conducive environment for peace and prosperity in this part of the country,” Maj. Gen. Marion Sison, 3ID commander, said in a statement. | GB
