AFP: Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor, Insurgency-Free

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), 302nd Infantry Brigade stationed in Carmen, Bohol, assures the public that Cebu, Bohol, and Siquijor are insurgency-free.

“Generally, lahat ito remains to be insurgency free. Wala tayong established na politiko-military structures, yung CPP-NPA dito. Wala tayong mga regular NPA formations na nag ooperate at wala ding guerilla fronts na established. (Generally, all areas remain to be insurgency-free. We have no established political-military structures, the CPP-NPA, here. We have no regular operating NPA formations and no established guerilla fronts),” stressed Col. Ignacio B. Madriaga, Commander of the 302nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army.

“Ang insurgency natin ay grievance-based. What drives insurgency is the discontent of the people na hindi nasosolusyunan noong unang panaho,” Madriaga said the brigade continues its effort in maintaining peace and order in the three areas of coverage.

Alongside the brigade, the LGUs and ordinary citizens have taken the bulk of the responsibility in ensuring that Bohol, Cebu, and Siquijor remain insurgency-free.

Last May 15 in Bilar, Bohol, NPA had an encounter with the Army which led to panic and fear among the community.

In fact, the NPA sightings were reported by the people themselves.

In Bohol, Prosperity Teams have been organized by the convergence of the brigade, LGUs, and PNP, Madriaga reported.

The teams are composed of soldiers, police personnel, and community organizers from the provincial government. They are immersed in barangays where communists are most likely to camp.

Through these teams, the government will be able to determine the problems that need to be addressed especially land-based issues such as labor that agitate the people and eventually convince them to enlist in armed revolution.

However, Col. Madriaga clarified that while the areas are insurgency-free, they are not insurgent-free.

Col. Madriaga insisted that communist members are present in these areas but the conditions that drive insurgency are being addressed. (HFG with report from Bridgette May Bayhon/PIA7)