AFP consigns security role to Antique PPOC

CEBU, Philippines - The Armed Forces of the Philippines, through the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, officially handed over its internal peace and security (IPSE) efforts to Antique’s Provincial Peace and Order Council.

Major Ray Tiongson, 3rd ID’s public information officer, said the handover ceremony was held on Wednesday morning at San Jose town in Antique.

The Antique PPOC members, by virtue of Provincial Resolution 08 signed last October 1, unanimously accepted the responsibility on the IPSE.

The memorandum of agreement, for the IPSE handover, was signed by Governor Rhodora Cadiao, as chairman of Antique PPOC, Chief Superintendent Bernardo Diaz, director of the Police Regional Office-6, and Brigadier General Reynaldo Mutiangpili, 3rd ID acting commander.

The Army’s 301st Infantry (Bayanihan) Brigade, headed by Colonel Eric Uchida, facilitated the formal signing of the handover and the commitment to work together to preserve the internal peace and security of the province.

The handing over of the IPSE to the Antique PPOC came after the AFP, on March 15, 2013, declared the province as conflict manageable and development ready.

Tiongson said the declaration was an offshoot of the improved peace and security situation in the province since 2011 as manifested by the absence of violent incidents attributed to the CPP-NPA.

Uchida said the sustained and unified efforts through bayanihan, with the Antique LGU, the police and other stakeholders, have paved the way for the continuous improvement of the peace and security situation in the province.

This also boosted the socio-economic, agro-industrial and infrastructure development activities in Antique, said Uchida, adding that it could also be considered a manifestation for the people of Antique who “genuinely desired to move their province towards sustainable development.”

With the IPSE handover, Antique PPOC now has the responsibility in maintaining the internal peace and security of the province, Tiongson said, but added that, even if the AFP will not be at the forefront the military will still play a supporting role. (FREEMAN)