The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Visayas Command (Viscom) reported that more local government units (LGUs) in the Visayas are now under Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS) status.
This refers to the peaceful and stable security situation in these areas after the dismantling of several guerrilla fronts in the region.
Serving as one of the guests during the 12th episode of the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas forum, assistant chief of unified command staff for civil-military operations of the Viscom, Colonel Joel Benedict Batara, attributed the increase in the number of LGUs to the strengthened internal security operations of their unit against the remaining active members of the communist terrorist group (CTG).
Seven provinces in the Visayas, covering 15 cities and towns, have already been declared to be under SIPS status.
“With our combat operations, there is a certain number wherein these armed groups are neutralized. Sa Panay na lang, merong weakened guerrilla fronts. Big factor sa paghina ng CTG ay nagsawa at nagising na ang mga tao sa mga kasinungalingan na ginagawa ng NPA [New People’s Army],” said Batara.
“These affected areas na nilulugaran ng NPA already have the support of the people. The internal defense system is already monitored, and people are already cooperating with the government to neutralize these NPA remnants,” he added.
According to Viscom, 19 guerrilla fronts have already been dismantled, with only one weakened guerrilla front remaining in Panay Island, while 1,401 members of the NPA have also surrendered to the government.
A total of 192 firearms were also confiscated and recovered from the CTG and rebel group members in different affected areas of the Visayas.
“We can account for all these accomplishments because of our whole-of-nation approach. Ang ginagawa ng gobyerno natin, we have to weigh in kung anong magiging impact ng mga security activities natin, and we saw the result where more areas were already declared in peaceful and stable condition,” Batara added.
Meanwhile, Viscom reported that all barangays in Central Visayas have already been cleared from the presence of the CTG.
“Wala nang CTG-affected areas and barangays in Central Visayas. We have cleared 349 barangays in the Central Visayas region from CTG’s presence. Every time may nakikita silang kahina-hinala, ni re-report agad na mga tao sa barangay,” said Lt. Colonel Israel Galorio, chief of the Public Information Office of Viscom.
AFP-Viscom was the featured agency during the 12th episode of the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas program, a platform initiated by the Presidential Communication Office through the Philippine Information Agency.
The activity serves as a platform to amplify public understanding and engagement with the national government’s programs and projects through the different implementing government agencies. (PIA)