SAN JOSE, Antique (PIA) — Stakeholders in this province expressed their commitment to ensuring lasting peace while safeguarding the community from illegal drugs.
In a joint meeting recently, member agencies of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) and the Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC) discussed the current peace and order situation and the ways forward in sustaining peace and order in the province.
Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) member Jessielito Sumande presided over the meeting with attendees from the Philippine Army (PA), Antique Police Provincial Office (AnPPO), the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), other national government agencies (NGAs), and the Municipal Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (MADACs).
In his message, Brigadier General Michael Samson of the PA’s 301st Infantry Brigade (IB) reiterated the continuing operations of government troops in the hinterlands of Panay to force the last remaining rebels to surrender and avail of government programs intended for them.
“We are making their lives miserable in the mountains, so they would realize that fighting the government is futile and useless,” he said.
Samson added that an armed confrontation with government forces is unnecessary, as it only results in loss of lives and obstructs the nation’s further development.
Despite the successes against insurgency, the general noted that the Army will continue conducting focused military operations to destroy the remaining forces of the Komite Rehiyong (KR) Panay and fully support the local peace initiatives.
“The job is not yet finished. We will wrap up the remnants [of the communist terrorist groups],” he stressed.
The official then thanked the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) members in Antique, especially the local government units (LGUs), for the strong collaboration in ensuring internal peace and stability in the province.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Antique has recommended the establishment of more operational “Balay Silangan” or reformation centers in the province and the implementation of Sustainability Activities for Rehabilitated Persons Who Used Drugs (RPWUDs) at the municipal level.
This is to support the recovery, reformation, and reintegration back into society of drug surrenderers.
Additionally, PDEA reiterated its relentless efforts to rid the community of illegal drugs and substance abuse.
For her part, on behalf of Governor Rhodora Cadiao, Peace and Order and Public Safety (POPS) consultant Margie Gadian underscored the importance of community involvement and urged all stakeholders to work closely with each other in pursuing sustainable peace and order in the province. (AGP/BPS/PIA Antique)
