Military troops in Negros Oriental will remain in the province even after the declaration of Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS) status.
This was the assurance of Philippine Army’s 302nd Infantry Brigade Commanding Officer, Brigadier General Joey Escanillas, during a recent Kapihan sa PIA forum in Dumaguete City, where he discussed the implications of declaring the SIPS status in the province.
The military pushed for the declaration of SIPS in Negros Oriental after the dismantling of major guerrilla fronts of the Communist-Terrorist-Group – New People’s Army (CTG-NPA) in the province.
However, the SIPS declaration does mean the area is insurgency-free as there are still remnants of the NPA in the province who are subject to the operations of the Philippine Army.
Escanillas said a SIPS status would be a key factor in boosting the province’s economic growth as it sends a signal to business entrepreneurs to invest in the province due to the relatively peaceful situation.
In terms of law enforcement and Internal Security Operations (ISO), Escanillas said there will be a gradual turnover of ISO from the government’s armed forces to the Philippine National Police (PNP), since a SIPS declaration would mean the local government units (LGUs) and the PNP will spearhead anti-insurgency efforts in their areas.
“Iyon ang nakalagay sa SIPS, the Armed Forces are in support role to law enforcement. We will not be abruptly changing the paradigm shift na immediate i-turnover sa PNP,” he said.
He explained that the gradual turnover of ISO operations may take five years to complete, but the soldiers will continue to stay in Negros Oriental to maintain peace and security.
Escanillas said they are involving PNP in their operations now as part of the transition period.
“Little by little, we are already in transition. Kung marinig niyo sa mga report namin, lahat ng mga operations namin kasama iyong PNP na. Iyong mga provincial mobile groups, iyong mga regional mobile groups kasama na sila. Hindi pa tayo nag-declare ng SIPS, we already initiated this one,” he added.
The Provincial Peace and Order Council and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan have already passed resolutions last month pushing for the SIPS declaration in the province.
The Army brigade commander said they are also avoiding the resurgence of CTG-NPAs in Negros Oriental due to the immediate pull-out of troops, which happened in the 1990s.
PNP deputy provincial director for operations Lt. Colonel Don Richmon Conag said the police force is ready to take on the role if there will be changes on ISO operations, which will be directed by the national government.
“As far as the AFP chief of Staff [is concerned], he assured there will be no abrupt pull-out of troops in those areas considered as SIPS. Wala naman paradigm shift because presently naman the PNP is the lead role in terms of law enforcement ang ISO lang ang lead role is the AFP,” said Conag. (PIA-7 Negros Oriental)