Army cites political unity in “insurgent free” Southern Leyte

By ES GORNE, PIA Southern Leyte
September 30, 2011

MAASIN CITY  –  The Philippine Army leadership of  the Central Command cites Southern Leyte’s political unity that contributes in the attainment of its status of an “insurgent free” province.

The members of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) in Southern Leyte led by Provincial Governor Damian G. Mercado together with Lt. General Ralph A. Villanueva, Commander, Central Command based in Camp Lapulapu, Cebu City, Major General Mario F. Chan, Commander, 8th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army participated in the ceremonial signing of the Joint Declaration of an “insurgent free” Southern Leyte.

During the Provincial Development Council (PDC) meeting headed by Provincial Governor Damian G. Mercado and members of the PDC, the council accorded the ceremonial signing among its priority PDC agenda at the R.K. Kangleon Function House in Maasin City in Southern Leyte in the morning of September 29.

Lt. Gen. Ralph Villanueva said that the province of Southern Leyte is the sixth province in the Visayas that were declared with insurgent free condition together with the provinces of Biliran, Bohol, Cebu, Guimaras and Siquijor. This year, only the Southern Leyte province has been declared insurgent free, so far, he added.

He assured the media group that the Internal Security Operations in the province is in place and to be continued.

Villanueva also informed that the provincial government the military presence in the province will still be around with (1) regular Charlie Company for the 78th IB and (2) CAFGU companies of the 52nd IB when asked.

During the press conference that followed after the declaration ceremony, Major General Mario F. Chan, Commander, 8th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army disclosed that the role of the military in the peace and order status of the province was to support Southern Leyte, which eventually spearheaded in bringing development in the province.

He said the united political leadership in the province of Southern Leyte has brought about economic development coupled with the installation with basic infrastructures such electric power, among others, that gives access for all the people to information that would help change their perception and no longer join the insurgency movement.