• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The state of stable internal peace and security (SIPS) in Negros Island may now be formally declared by the concerned local chief executives after its conditions have been met.
This was confirmed on Tuesday by Maj. Gen. Marion Sison, commander of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (ID).
In a statement, Sison, 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 opportunities to Negrenses.
The 3ID earlier declared that all the five existing New People’s Army (NPA) guerrilla fronts in Negros Island have already been dismantled.
Still, the focused military operations against rebel remnants are ongoing to prevent them from recovering their lost territories and recruiting new members, said Lt. Col. J-Jay Javines, 3ID Public Affairs Office chief.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines Visayas Command reported that all NPA-infested communities in the Visayas region have already been cleared and its community engagement efforts are now geared towards preventing the resurgence of the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA.
On Feb. 13, PMaj. Gen. Robert Rodriguez, commander of the Area Police Command (APC)-Visayas, visited the 3ID headquarters at Camp Macario Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz, where he was welcomed by Sison and his staff.
Both leaders discussed enhancing military-police cooperation and collaboration in Western and Central Visayas, Javines said.
Rodriguez assured the 3ID of full support from APC-Visayas, particularly in its efforts to end insurgency in the two regions.
APC-Visayas, which covers the Police Regional Offices 6, 7, and 8, has a mandate to orchestrate and supervise inter-regional operations against insurgency, terrorism, and other internal security threats.
Sison expressed his appreciation to the APC-Visayas for pledging full support to the 3ID’s anti-insurgency endeavors.
“This commitment is essential in establishing and sustaining stable internal peace and security, which will greatly improve the lives of the people in Western and Central Visayas,” the 3ID chief said. | GB
