• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Regional Peace and Order of Western Visayas yesterday declared Negros Occidental in a state of Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS), during its 1st quarter meeting held in Bago City.
At the same time, Negros Oriental will also be declared under SIPS status, said Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, chairperson of the RPOC Western Visayas.
However, this doesn’t mean that the Philippine Army will be leaving the province. They will still be around, according to Lacson.
According to the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, all five guerrilla fronts of the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in Negros Island have been dismantled.
Maj. Gen. Marion Sison, 3ID, disclosed that a SIPS status in a locality would attract investments, generate jobs, and bring more opportunities to its people, while Lacson said that investors will feel more secure investing in Negros Occidental.
Achieving the SIPS status shows that the campaign against local terrorist group is really gaining ground, said Lacson, who presided over the quarterly RPOC 6 meeting held in Bago City, Negros Occidental.
After the approval of SIPS status in the regional level, Lacson said it will be presented to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., for his approval, with a target date of either next month or May, and the declaration is expected to be made in Negros Island.*
