BALANGA CITY (PIA) — The Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC), together with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), has reaffirmed their resolve to sustain peace, security, and development in Bataan.
This was formalized through the signing of a Joint Attestation and Declaration of Support to Resolution No. 081, Series of 2025, which reaffirms the province’s State of Stable Internal Peace and Security (SSIPS) and implements the PNP–AFP Collaborative Efforts, recognizing the PNP as the primary force in law enforcement operations with the AFP providing assistance.
Governor Jose Enrique Garcia III said the declaration represents a solemn promise to protect, nurture, and pass on the peace enjoyed by Bataeños.
“Stable internal peace and security is not merely the absence of insurgency or conflict. It is the presence of trust between government and the people, the confidence that justice will prevail, and the assurance that families can live without fear,” he said.
Garcia noted that Bataan’s peaceful environment continues to attract investors, generating jobs and livelihood opportunities for residents.
“Let this declaration be more than just a signature on paper. Let it be a living commitment that in Bataan, we will always choose cooperation over division, service over self-interest, and vigilance over complacency,” he added.
AFP Northern Luzon Command Commander Lieutenant General Fernyl Buca lauded the event as both a celebration of peace gains and a commitment to address emerging security challenges.
“Rest assured that Northern Luzon Command will continue to support you in preserving safety and security in Bataan. With courage, unity, and purpose, let us advance together in defending our people, our borders, and our future,” Buca said.
Police Regional Director Police Brigadier General Ponce Rogelio Peñones Jr. likewise emphasized the PNP’s dedication to swift response and intelligence sharing.
“Bilang inyong Regional Director, I assure you that the Police Regional Office 3 will continue to work hand in hand with our AFP counterparts to ensure that the five-minute response time, quick intelligence sharing, and coordinated operations are a reality experienced by every citizen,” he said.
In line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s message in his 4th State of the Nation Address, the joint declaration strengthens cooperation among security forces to build a more peaceful society and ensure greater protection of human rights, regardless of age, gender, condition, or affiliation.
Bataan made its first SSIPS declaration on February 21, 2024, under PPOC Resolution No. 04, Series of 2024, after security assessments found the province generally unaffected by insurgency, relatively peaceful, and with reinforced internal security measures. (CLJD/RPQ, PIA Region 3-Bataan)
