ANGELES CITY – The military, the police and the Nueva Ecija provincial government signed last Monday a declaration that Nueva Ecija is already “insurgency free.”
Nueva Ecija is the third province in Central Luzon to be declared insurgency-free; first was Aurora on Feb. 19 and then Tarlac on March 23.
Former Pres. Arroyo, way back in 2004, had tasked the military to crush communist insurgency before her term ended last June 30.
The Armed Forces Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) which is still headed in concurrent capacity by Lt. Gen. Ricardo David Jr. who recently assumed post as Armed Forces Chief of Staff, said yesterday the “joint declaration on the clearing of Nueva Ecija province from the local terrorist group affectation (sic) and influence and affirmation of roles in internal security operations” was formally signed at the Sierra Madre Suites in Palayan City.
The declaration also handed over to the local government the primary role of the military in the anti-insurgency drive.
The signatories were Nueva Ecija Gov. Aurelio Umali, who is chairman of the provincial peace and order council, 7th Army Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Irineo Espino, Central Luzon police director Chief Supt. Arturo Cacdac, and Department of Interior and Local Government provincial chief Abraham Pascua.
David was represented by Nolcom deputy commander Col. Henry Cinco.
Nolcom earlier announced the installation of a new Nolcom chief supposedly slated last Saturday after David assumed post as Chief of Staff, but this was cancelled early morning also last Saturday. Nolcom officials have kept mum on who would replace David as Nolcom commander.
Nolcom said the declaration of Nueva Ecija as insurgency free was based on the recommendation of the Army’s 7th Infantry Division which cited “the reduction in enemy activities and improved peace and order situation in the province.”
In his message read by Cinco during the signing rites, David said the government “has truly gained ground against the anti-peace and anti-development forces besieging our communities for four decades.”
“The concerted efforts of all concerned institutions can make a significant difference, and our hope for a brighter and peaceful future is here,” he said.
He assured Nueva Ecija people that “despite the handover of primary role internal security operations to the local government, the 7th Infantry Division through its subordinate units will still be around to play an active support role to the PNP in the cleared areas as maybe determined by provincial peace and order council (PPOC).”
“The soldiers will continue to address the armed remnants of the rebels in areas where the enemy’s recovery efforts are highly probable. The PNP, on the other hand, will continue to play its primary role in addressing the threats to peace and order in the province and actively support the two Army brigades under the 7th Infantry Division,” he also said.
David said rebels will find difficulty in once more gaining grounds in Nueva Ecija allegedly because they have lost mass support.
Nueva Ecija is the third province in Central Luzon to be declared insurgency-free; first was Aurora on Feb. 19 and then Tarlac on March 23.
Former Pres. Arroyo, way back in 2004, had tasked the military to crush communist insurgency before her term ended last June 30.
The Armed Forces Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) which is still headed in concurrent capacity by Lt. Gen. Ricardo David Jr. who recently assumed post as Armed Forces Chief of Staff, said yesterday the “joint declaration on the clearing of Nueva Ecija province from the local terrorist group affectation (sic) and influence and affirmation of roles in internal security operations” was formally signed at the Sierra Madre Suites in Palayan City.
The declaration also handed over to the local government the primary role of the military in the anti-insurgency drive.
The signatories were Nueva Ecija Gov. Aurelio Umali, who is chairman of the provincial peace and order council, 7th Army Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Irineo Espino, Central Luzon police director Chief Supt. Arturo Cacdac, and Department of Interior and Local Government provincial chief Abraham Pascua.
David was represented by Nolcom deputy commander Col. Henry Cinco.
Nolcom earlier announced the installation of a new Nolcom chief supposedly slated last Saturday after David assumed post as Chief of Staff, but this was cancelled early morning also last Saturday. Nolcom officials have kept mum on who would replace David as Nolcom commander.
Nolcom said the declaration of Nueva Ecija as insurgency free was based on the recommendation of the Army’s 7th Infantry Division which cited “the reduction in enemy activities and improved peace and order situation in the province.”
In his message read by Cinco during the signing rites, David said the government “has truly gained ground against the anti-peace and anti-development forces besieging our communities for four decades.”
“The concerted efforts of all concerned institutions can make a significant difference, and our hope for a brighter and peaceful future is here,” he said.
He assured Nueva Ecija people that “despite the handover of primary role internal security operations to the local government, the 7th Infantry Division through its subordinate units will still be around to play an active support role to the PNP in the cleared areas as maybe determined by provincial peace and order council (PPOC).”
“The soldiers will continue to address the armed remnants of the rebels in areas where the enemy’s recovery efforts are highly probable. The PNP, on the other hand, will continue to play its primary role in addressing the threats to peace and order in the province and actively support the two Army brigades under the 7th Infantry Division,” he also said.
David said rebels will find difficulty in once more gaining grounds in Nueva Ecija allegedly because they have lost mass support.
