Vigan City, Ilocos Sur—The Province of Ilocos
Sur was declared as a Peaceful and Investment-Friendly province through a
Memorandum of Agreement between the 7th Infantry Brigade (Philippine
Army), Police Regional Field Office I and the Provincial Government of Ilocos
Sur during the Peace and Order Council Meeting held in this city on October 7.
The Philippine army was represented by Brig. Gen. Hernando
Eriberri, the Commanding General of the 7th Infantry Division,
Deputy Regional Director for Operations P/Sr. Supt. Moro Lazo for the PNP
Regional Field Office I and Ilocos Sur Gov. Ryan Luis Singson for the
provincial government.
The MOA indicates that there is no longer a threat of
insurgency in the whole province despite having the NPA remnants SP Sandino
which has 23 armed men who are believed to be on the mountainous parts of the
province particularly in San Emilio, Sta. Cruz, Sta. Lucia and adjacent
municipalities.
The Phil. Army said, the group is already controlled and is
no longer a threat to residents.
Maj. Gen. Gregorio Catapang Jr., Commanding General of the
Northern Luzon Command said that the signing of the MOA signifies that the
whole of Region I is already insurgency-free and they are sustaining the
efforts to continue to eradicate the operations of NPA remnants.
“This is a big achievement in our consistent pursuit of
peace not only in the province of Ilocos Sur but for the whole of Region I
because just and lasting peace can only be achieve of there is progress and
prosperity in the area. And so after finally declaring Ilocos Sur as Peaceful
and Investment Friendly, we can say that our efforts to eradicate insurgency is
successful,” Catapang said in his speech after the signing.
The Army official also stressed that even after the
declaration, they will not cease in working for the achievement of peace and security
of all the people.
Meanwhile, Catapang also declared that the municipalities
of Cervantes, Quirino and San Emilio will be turned over to the 81st
Infantry Battalion under Lt. Col. Desiderio Alaba. Currently, the mentioned
municipalities are under the control of the 503rd IB based at the
Cordillera Administrative Region. (PPDO-Ilocos
Sur)
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