LIMASAWA, Southern Leyte - A military official vowed to block rebels’
effort to retake insurgent-free provinces in the Visayas even as they
shift their thrust from combat operation to implementation of
development projects.
Colonel John Bonafos, commander of 802nd brigade of the Philippine
Army based in Camp Downes, Ormoc City, said they are stepping up their
coordination with local government units and other government agencies
to ensure that rebels will not regain their strength.
The brigade covers the insurgent-free provinces of Cebu, Bohol,
Leyte, Southern Leyte, and Biliran. It is the only Philippine Army
headquarters in the entire country with all covered areas officially
declared as rebel-cleared.
“We will continue our support operations particularly in the
development aspects needed by people. After we have attained peace, we
will move to development phase like construction of classrooms, road
repair, and road widening,” Bonafos said in the sidelines of the First
Mass anniversary here.
Among the five provinces, Biliran was the first to gain the
insurgent-free status with the joint declaration of the Army and local
government unit in December 2008.
Cebu and Bohol were cleared from rebel activities in March 2010.
Insurgent-free classification of Southern Leyte and Leyte was pronounced in September and December 2011, respectively.
“The situation of these Visayas provinces exemplifies that we can
attain the insurgent-free status through multi-stakeholders
participation,” he said.
For insurgent-free areas, the military turned over the lead role in
maintaining the internal security to its local executives and police.
The military has set a six-month parameter as basis in declaring whether
the area can be confirmed free of rebel’s threat.
A province is categorized as insurgency-free when the threat posed by
the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) is
successfully downgraded into a mere law and order problem.
He said they will not allow the CPP-NPA to retake these provinces
amid reports of new recruitment activities particularly in Cebu.
“The Army is counting on the support of local chief executives. If
governors and mayors will participate, half of the problem is already
solved,” Bonafos said.
The official also sought the help from the private sector since peace
and order will not only affect government activities but business
operations as well.
The crossfire incident in Kananga, Leyte that killed botanist
Leonardo Co last November 2010 was the last encounter between government
troops and insurgents recorded by the Philippine Army’s 802nd brigade
under its command of responsibility.
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Leyte-Samar Daily Express | SunStar.Com.Ph | April 11, 2012 | Article Link
