Insurgency, criminality discussed in security meet

Tacloban City, Philippines — Insurgency, criminality, and peace and order in Region 8 were among the major concerns discussed in the 3rd quarterly meeting of the Regional Peace and Order Council-Eastern Visayas (RPOC-EV) that was held, for the first time, in a venue outside the region.

Speaker Martin Romualdez, RPOC-EV chairperson, presided over the meeting last August 15 right at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City, where he held office as head of the House of Representatives.

Others in the meeting were Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez, 8th Infantry Division commander Major General Camilo Ligayo, DILG-8 Regional Director Arnel Agabe, Police Regional Office-8 Director P/Brig. Gen Vincent Calanoga, PDEA-8 Assistant Regional Director Alex Tablate, and some local government officials.

Speaker Romualdez presented to the council an overview of the region’s current peace and order situation, which he observed firsthand during his recent visits to areas in Samar island that were affected by insurgency.

According to local officials who were at the meeting, the speaker led the council in the deliberations in coming up with plans to solve insurgency and prevent violent extremism to address peace and order concerns that will promote regional development.

Other topics discussed were identifying areas for the Support to the Barangay Development Program for the implementation by next year, as well as analyzing the criminality and peace and order situation to come up with solutions and achieve peace and prosperity in Eastern Visayas.

Romualdez declared to the council his commitment in resolving these concerns in the region.

He said it is important to examine first the underlying issues that trigger insurgency, while he acknowledged the council members’ input that he said would help shape future policies and decisions.