OROQUIETA CITY – The southern Filipino province of Misamis Occidental is fast becoming more progressive because of its improved peace and order condition and has just recently declared the area as conflict-manageable and development-ready.
Governor Herminia Ramiro signed the declaration with Brigadier General Gerardo Barrientos Jr, commander of the 1st Infantry Division; and Chief Superintendent Isagani Francisco Genabe Jr., chief of the Police Regional Office 10, at the Provincial Cultural and Farmers’ Training Center in Oroquieta City.
The signing of the declaration was witnessed by presidents of the Liga ng Barangay who attended the 1st Mindanao Congress, including Senator Teofisto Guingona III, who was the guest speaker for the opening ceremony of the Liga ng Barangay Presidents’ Congress.
Captain Franco Salvador Franco, an army spokesman, said this initiative of the 1st Infantry Division is in line with the pronouncement of Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Pio Gregorio Catapang Jr, to fast track the hand-over of Internal Peace and Security Operations to the provincial governments and local police to pave the way for economic growth and development in the communities.
He said the declaration of Misamis Occidental will not affect the deployment of military forces in the province, but rather enhance the relationship between the local governments and security forces in response to the various threats in the community such as the presence of communist rebels and other lawless elements.
“The issuance of the joint declaration is a manifestation that the level of insurgency in the province has dwindled in the past years due to the continuous decrease of their manpower, firearms, affected barangays and activities, including the communist rebels and its politico-military organizations have been reduced to a minimal level that it no longer pose a serious threat to peace and order in the province,” Suelto said.
Barrientos also the joint declaration of Misamis Occidental as conflict-manageable and development-ready province is a manifestation of a generally peaceful environment.
“It is now ready for further development and tourism. The strength of the NPA in Misamis Occidental has become insignificant and can be readily addressed by the police. However, the 1st Infantry Division and Armed Forces as a whole will continue to work with the local government units, other government agencies, the civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to maintain the peace and security in Misamis Occidental and likewise the other provinces in Western Mindanao,” he said.
Ramiro said the signing of this declaration will strengthen and enhance the collaboration and partnership of local government, the police and military in serving and protecting the people.
“I assure the communities of Misamis Occidental that there will be no changes in the peace and security set-up of the current army forces because it will continue its efforts together with the police in bringing peace and development in our province. This will also provide the province more investment opportunities resulting to infrastructure development, job generation and over-all economic activity,” he said. (Mindanao Examiner)
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