Soldiers committed to peace, development

MANILA, March 11 (PNA) -The Philippine Army's 7th Infantry Division said that the deployment of soldiers in Hacienda Luisita, in Tarlac is a just a testament of its commitment to protect the rights of the people and aid in further development efforts.
7th Infantry Division spokesperson Major Enrico Gil Ileto said that this was in line with the military's Internal Peace and Security Plan.


"We owe it to the people, an evidence to that is the support which was also stated in an affidavit by ten barangay chiefs supporting the presence of our soldiers for community-based peace and development efforts," he said.


The affidavit Ileto was referring to states that barangay chiefs are supportive of the "military in its efforts to address insurgency and recognizes it's support to the local government's effort of timely delivery of basic services and implementation of developmental programs for the improvement of the quality of life of the people."
The affidavit, dated Jan. 21, has the signature of chiefs of barangays situated in the area covered by Hacienda Luisita land under the municipalities of Concepcion, Lapaz and Tarlac City.


"We believe that such favorable feeling towards the military, as expressed and duly attested by all the elected representatives of the barangays in Hacienda Luisita, are the true sentiments of the people in the area," Ileto said.


The affidavit also claimed that "the presence of the military in that area is necessary in order to maintain the peace and also serve to monitor and immediately respond to security, disaster and development concerns on a day to day basis."


It also stated that the presence of the military neither institute fear nor creates anxiety among the barangay chiefs and their constituents.


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RMA/PFN | Philippine News Agency | March 11,2012 | Article Link