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Ilocos Norte is insurgency-free for 7 years now

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By Leilanie G. Adriano
Staff Reporter

LAOAG CITY—Ilocos Norte continues to be one of the most peaceful provinces in the country as it has been free from the clutches of the New People’s Army for the past seven years.

Lieutenant Colonel Jearie Boy P. Faminial, commander of the 24th Infantry (Wildcat) Battalion, 7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division of the Philippine Army confirmed this following the first quarter joint Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) and Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council meeting held at the Capitol auditorium, this city on March 18, 2019.

As directed by an Executive Order signed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte on December 4, 2018, Mr. Faminial said they are focused on institutionalizing the “whole nation approach” to address insurgency and deliver basic services and social development packages in conflict affected areas.

Fortunately, “Ilocos Norte is not included in this package as it has been insurgency-free since 2012,” Mr. Faminial pointed out.

He also allayed fears of some local chief executives in the province saying there is no “infestation” here.

In time for the election period, Bangui Mayor Fidel A. Cimatu, Jr. brought up the issue of simple extortion activities as he reported some local candidates in the province have been receiving text messages from alleged “enemy forces” offering them protection service in exchange for money.

In the event of any infestation, Mr. Faminial assured the “friendly forces” of the Philippine National Police and Army are ready to address it.

Since January 2018, the 24th Infantry Battalion (IB) based in Abra province has taken over Ilocos Norte while the Provincial Mobile Force Company of the Philippine National Police is now on the forefront of countering anti-terrorism threats in the province.

Zero crimes vs tourists
Meanwhile, also during their first quarter joint meeting, the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) and Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC) reported on special event security management since January, revealing that there were no reported crime incidents committed against tourists in Ilocos Norte.

Having been the host venue for eight national events, including the Region 1 Athletic Association (R1AA) meet, as well as the global Mister International Pageant, the province accommodated a total of 78,885 visitors or very important persons (VIPs). Included in this figure are 19 local events.

These show attainment towards putting Ilocos Norte on top as a premier tourism destination, not merely in terms of sites and facilities, but also in the assurance of peace, order, and security for visitors and tourists.

Last year, the province hit the three-million mark in number of day visitors.

The PPOC and PADAC also shared updates on provincial crime volume during the same period [January to March 2019] in comparison to previous years.

Between 2017 and 2018, average monthly crime rate had been halved [53.84% to 22.32%]; however, there was a slight increase this year, to 28.48%.

Nonetheless, there was a 36% decrease during the said time period in index crimes, which include physical injury, murder, homicide, rape, and crimes against properties. In particular crimes against persons dropped by 44%, most notably in physical injury [34 to 16 cases].

The councils also reported on the campaign against loose firearms, with a total of 21 operations conducted, 16 persons arrested, 15 firearms surrendered or confiscated, and 146 other items confiscated, such as ammunition and replicas.

On drug clearing operations, the PADAC reported a total of 6,449 surrendered drug personalities from July 1, 2016, to March 15, 2019. Of these, nine surrendered since January 2019.

To date, 520 or 100% of Ilocos Norte barangays have been “drug-cleared” by PADAC; however, 46% or 239 of these are still undergoing validation by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

Overall, the councils assess that the province remains relatively “tranquil, with the absence of violent related incidents,” commending the cooperation among the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN), stakeholders, and members of the local community in crime prevention. (With a report from Mizpah Grace G. Castro)

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