Leyte town creates “Bantay Bayan” network to counter insurgency

By Provincial Media Relations Center (PMRC Leyte)
December 2, 2007

LEYTE, Leyte  –  Anchored on his belief that insurgency problem in their area can be solved through the concerted efforts of everybody including the community, the local chief executive of this town is now actively helping the 19th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army based in Kananga, Leyte to facilitate the organization of “Bantay Bayans” in several villages of the municipality of Leyte.

Leyte Mayor Armando Ysidoro said this is consonance to the national government’s goal of ending insurgency problem in the region and in other parts of the country the soonest possible time.

He said the counter-insurgency efforts they are initiating in their town is also intended to support the dream of the provincial government of Leyte through Gov. Carlos Jericho “Icot” Petilla in achieving a Leyte province that is free of insurgents.

It can be noted that Gov. Petilla has always emphasized how significant it is especially for the business sector to maintain an environment that is without any form of security threats and where people freely cooperate and work as one for the common good and progress of the place.

“I am doing this because I support the campaign of the government for peace and I am aware also that the provincial government of Leyte is banking on the province’s now manageable peace and security status in its bid to lure in more investments and economic activities for the province,” Ysidoro said.

At present, Ysidoro said they have already organized around 1,500 Bantay Bayans coming from different areas of the town of Leyte.

These Bantay Bayans, who are ordinary citizens forming a network of peace loving people and guardians of freedom and liberty, reside in the villages of Tapol, Mataloto, Bagabao, Taga-abaca, Wagi, and Consegra.

“We are hoping that the members of this Bantay Bayan network will considerably multiply in the next few months so to all the more strengthen our campaign against insurgents,” Ysidoro said.

He said this initiative has been realized through the big help of the troops of the 19th Infantry Battalion now being led by Col. Henry Bumiltac and the full support of Gov. Petilla as well.

Ysidoro also reiterated his call to the communist rebels to return to the folds of the law and work in one with the government in achieving peace and progress in their respective localities.