BANGUED, Abra (PIA) – Local chief executives of the different towns in Abra expressed support to the anti-insurgency efforts of the Philippine Army, especially in the conflict-affected areas of the province.
“We are very much open for a dialogue to once and for all settle everything na kailangan ng tulong ng local government unit. Lahat po ng gusto ninyong mangyari for an insurgency-free Abra, we are open to any dialogue, all the support that you can get from the LGUs, tutulong po kami,” League of Municipalities of the Philippines national president La Paz Mayor JB Bernos assured during the emergency meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order (PPOC) on March 17.
The move came after Lt. Col. Jose Wilfredo Panes, commander of the 24th Infantry Battalion, sought the support of local government units in working towards the declaration of the province as insurgency-free.
Bernos welcomed the initiative that will boost peace and development in the Abra hinterlands.
“This has long been a dream of Abrenios, especially in the upland towns of Sal-lapadan, Tineg, Lacub, Malibcong , Tubo, some parts of the BuDaBoSa area (Bucloc, Daguioman, Boliney, Sal-lapadan),” he shared.
During the meeting, Panes also reported that there are no units or forces of the CPP-NPA communist terrorist group (CTG) within the vicinity of the province. He explained that since the CTG forces have weakened, they are concentrated in the provincial boundaries of Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, and Mountain Province among others. The CTG forces were located around the boundary of Apayao and Abra.
“Hindi sila nakakapasok sa Abra dahil na rin sa tulong ng mga local chief executives natin and other government forces and other security forces,” Panes explained.
501st Infantry Brigade commander Brig. Gen. Dean Mark Mamaril, who also participated in the discussions, emphasized that an insurgency-free status has certain parameters establishing that there is a state of stable internal peace and security.
“Malaking advantage kapag na-declare natin ang atinglugar na insurgency-free kasi magbu-boost ito ng ating ekonomiya at manghihikayat ng mas maraming investor sa ating mga lugar,” he stressed.
In the Cordillera, the provinces of Ifugao and Benguet including Baguio City are declared insurgency-free. (JJMT, PIA-CAR, Abra)
