“Not zero presence”of insurgents in Cebu – CentCom

CEBU, Philippines - While Cebu has been declared insurgency-free, it is “not zero presence” of insurgents, said an official of the Armed Forces of the Philippines – Central Command.

Col. Leopoldo Galon Jr., group commander of the 3rd Civil Relations Group, Civil Relations Service AFP, said the declaration was based on the fact that there were no violent incidents that happened.

Galon said legal fronts posing as non-government organizations are actively doing organizational works such as providing livelihood assistance to impoverished community.

“Baka mag-divert ito to support arm struggle to topple the government,” said Galon during the Suknaay sa SUKNA Forum at Mariner’s Court yesterday.

He said some groups such as in Bohol province are doing activities to draw international attention.

He said a group is set to conduct international fact-finding mission next week in Trinidad town on the alleged militarization in the area aimed at taking away the detachment of the special force there. The detachment is supported by the local government units in the area, said Galon.

Galon said the AFP is not doing counter-actions to such legal activities, but they are closely watching over these.

He said they just ensure to maintain the peace and order in the community in coordination with the concerned local peace and order councils.

Sometime in 2009, the AFP had cleared Cebu and Bohol of the communist-terrorist movement.

The AFP CentCom hailed then governor now third district Representative Gwendolyn Garcia for her “all-out war policy” against the rebels.

Likewise, CentCom also thanked the late Bohol governor Erico Aumentado for his relentless commitment to the cause.

CentCom described the victory as pathway for LGUs to “harness sustainable development to further protect them from the roots of insurgency like poverty, disease and social order, ignorance and illiteracy”. — Gregg M. Rubio/NSA (FREEMAN)