By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
Lots of checkpoints being implemented by law enforcement could scare away foreign tourists, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said yesterday.
This comes after security measures have been beefed up in neighboring Negros Oriental following the massacre in Pamplona town on March 4, which claimed the life of Governor Roel Degamo.
Lacson said locals may understand the situation, but foreigners do not like it.
Based on information released by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, around 300 soldiers from the Philippine Army have been assigned to the Joint Task Force (JTF) Negros.
The soldiers include elite personnel from the Army’s Light Reaction Company, which specializes in counter-terrorism operations.
Some of them were from the 11th, 15th, 94th, 62nd, and 79th Infantry Battalions (IB), and an additional deployment is set for soon.
JTF Negros has been deployed in 21 areas in Negros Oriental to conduct joint security checkpoints with the Philippine National Police.
Lt. Colonel Roderick Salayo, commanding officer of the 11th IB based in Siaton, in the sendoff ceremony on Sunday, March 12, believed the remaining suspects are still in the province.
There could be more, based on information coming from various sources, he said.
“The manhunt will continue until the mastermind is arrested. We will also endeavor to win the trust and confidence of the people while working to stabilize peace and order in the province,” Salayo said.
The joint task force comes when there was a reported drop in the province’s tourism industry after the attack, he added.
Although operations are mostly being conducted in Negros Oriental, law enforcement in Negros Occidental are also on the lookout for the remaining suspects, and thus have also conducted checkpoints especially at the boundary of the two provinces.
“Basically, the instruction of President [Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.] was to suppress criminal activities and impunity in Negros Oriental,” Lacson pointed out.
“Hopefully, they can resolve the issue against the suspects that have not been arrested yet,” he added.
Lacson said it would be good if law enforcement would identify the remaining suspects as it could also help the authorities figure out as to where they are hiding.
He further added that the earlier the authorities track down and apprehend the four suspects, the better.
“Negros Occidental is open for tourists. We have to be prepared, especially resort owners, to accept more visitors,” Lacson said./With a report from PNA / DGB, WDJ