• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negros Island is now almost on the finish line in achieving stable internal peace and security (SIPS) status after the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC)-6 declared Negros Occidental now in a state of SIPS on Monday (March 25).
The declaration was made by the RPOC-6 during its first quarter meeting in Bago City presided by its chairman, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson.
“Together with this will also be the declaration of Negros Oriental under a SIPS status,” Lacson said. “But this doesn’t mean that the Philippine Army will be leaving the province. They will still be around”.
According to the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, all five guerrilla fronts of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army in Negros Island were already dismantled.
Maj. Gen. Marion Sison, 3ID commander, said that having the SIPS status in a locality would attract investments, generate jobs, and bring more opportunities to its people, while Lacson said that investors will feel more secure investing in Negros Occidental.
Achieving a SIPS status shows that the campaign against local terrorist groups is really gaining ground, Lacson said.
After the approval of the SIPS status in the regional level, Lacson said it will be presented to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for his approval, with a target date, either next month or in May for the declaration to be held in Negros Island. | GB
