By Jen Baylon
The Regional Peace and Order Council in Western Visayas (RPOC-6) approved the recommendation declaring Negros Occidental under the state of Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS).
During their first quarter meeting in Bago City yesterday, RPOC-6 chair Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said neighboring Negros Oriental will also have a counterpart declaration for SIPS.
“[The SIPS] status of Negros Occidental was approved, together with this is the declaration of Negros Oriental as a SIPS,” Lacson said.
He said the declaration does not mean the Philippine Army’s presence in Negros Occidental will be diminished.
“They will still be around. It only just shows the campaign against local terrorist groups. That’s why the membership of RPOC supported the said resolution,” Lacson said in an interview.
Lacson also emphasized that their campaign against local terrorist groups has “gained substantial ground.”
The governor said they will be forwarding the resolution declaring Negros Occidental under SIPS to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. by April or May of this year.
“The region will then invite the President to come to Negros, and declare both the provinces under SIPS,” he added.
The SIPS status, which the province is considered relatively peaceful and cleared from communist insurgents, reflects the ongoing progress in the government’s campaign against insurgents in both Negros provinces.
On March 5, the Provincial Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Council — composed of the Philippine Army, the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Coast Guard — recommended declaring Negros Occidental under SIPS.
Lacson earlier said the recommendation will boost investors’ confidence in Negros Occidental, knowing the fact that the province is now peaceful and orderly.
He added that the provincial government has always wanted to achieve a stable peace and order situation.
Five New People’s Army guerrilla fronts in northern, central and southern Negros have been declared as dismantled by the Philippine Army.
These are Central Negros 1, Central Negros 2, South East Front, Northern Negros Front, and South West Front./JB, WDJ