• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Army’s 3rd Infantry Division is now coordinating with the Malacañang on the expected visit of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., to declare Negros Island under a Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS) status.
Brig. Gen. Orlando Edralin, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, yesterday said that both Negros Occidental and Oriental have recommended their respective provinces to be placed under SIPS status.
When President Marcos Jr. visited the 3ID headquarters late last year, Edralin recalled that PBBM vowed to return to personally declare Negros Island under SIPS status.
An area may qualify to be placed under such status if all the existing rebel guerilla fronts and its front organizations have been dismantled, former rebel controlled barangays remained cleared, cutting off support to armed groups from white to Red areas, and establishment of integrated territorial defense system, according to Edralin.
The armed group, including its Regional Strike Force, have already been reduced to an “insignificant number,” he said, noting also that the Komiteng Rehiyonal Negros/Cebu/Bohol/Siquijior has not conducted any tactical offensives for the past year and a half against government forces, who he claims are on top of the situation.
“They can run, but they cannot hide,” said Edralin.
That is why, we continue to engage them, because of the support of the masses who provided us with the timely information that leads to encounters with rebel remnants, he added.
Even after the declaration of SIPS status, Edralin and Brig. Gen. Joey Escanillas, 302nd Infantry Brigade commander, gave assurances that the Philippine Army will remain in Negros Island.
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.
The continued presence of Army troops in Negros Island also aimed at avoiding the resurgence of NPA, which took place in the mid-1990s.*
