CEBU, Philippines – The government's intensive anti-insurgency drive appeared to be gaining headway as the Philippine Army's 3rd Infantry Division will turn over to the local government units its Internal Peace and Security Operations in Roxas City and Capiz province.
Major Ray Tiongson, spokesperson of the 3rd ID, said the military's IPSO responsibility in Roxas City was handed over yesterday, and in Capiz today in ceremonies to be witnessed by National Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin.
The turnover in Roxas City came after the joint signing of the Internal Peace and Security Efforts to the city's Peace and Order Council, between the 3rd ID, represented by its commander, Major Rey Leonardo Guerrero, and the Roxas City LGU, represented by Mayor Angel Alan Celino and Senior Superintendent Julio Gustilo of the City Police Station.
It can be noted that in Western Visayas, the provinces of Guimaras and Aklan were already declared insurgency-free, but military and police officials said the IPSO turnover in Roxas City and Capiz did not mean the two areas were similary in the same situation.
"It's just that based on our assessment, the New People's Army's armed capability has been downgraded," according to Armed Forcers of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Gregorio Catapang.
On the other hand, the AFP has also turned over earlier its IPSO responsibility to the LGUs and POCs of Antique and Negros Oriental provinces. The 3rd ID is now looking forward to do the same to Iloilo and Negros Occidental provinces next year.