By JEN BAYLON
The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) will recommend the declaration of Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS) status in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.
“The 3rd Infantry Division is now coordinating with the Office of the President to determine the availability of the President to declare SIPS status for Negros Occidental and Oriental,” 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, Brigadier General Orlando Edralin said in an interview at the Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol yesterday.
Edralin said the two Negros provinces have already met the necessary criteria for the SIPS status, which includes the dismantling of all guerrilla fronts on the island, and the establishment of the Integrated Territorial Defense System.
He added that Marcos wants to declare SIPS status for both provinces, citing his previous statement during his visit to 3ID headquarters earlier.
Edralin expressed optimism that the SIPS recommendation would be approved.
Under the SIPS status, the province is considered relatively peaceful and cleared from communist insurgents, which reflects the ongoing progress in the government’s campaign against the insurgency in Negros.
The declaration will be a significant milestone for Negros Island, as the provinces have been plagued by communist insurgencies and other armed conflicts in recent years.
It will also serve as a testament to the efforts of government forces and local authorities in maintaining peace and order in the region.
In March, the Regional Peace and Order Council in Western Visayas (RPOC-6) approved the Provincial Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Council’s recommendation of declaring Negros Occidental under SIPS status.
RPOC-6 chair Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the recommendation will boost investors’ confidence in the province.
Lacson added that the provincial government has always wanted to achieve a stable peace and order situation.
He also emphasized that their campaign against local terrorist groups has “gained substantial ground.”
Earlier, the Philippine Army said five New People’s Army guerrilla fronts in northern, central and southern Negros had been dismantled.
These are Central Negros 1, Central Negros 2, South East Front, Northern Negros Front, and South West Front./JB, WDJ