Less rebel activities reported in Comval

THE Compostela Valley province has been declared as conflict manageable development ready area or CMDRA, in awarding rites held at the Nabunturan National Comprehensive High School on Tuesday.

Philippine Army’s 1001st Infantry Brigade commander Colonel Macairog Alberto, in his speech, said since the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) was implemented, the army has managed to clear areas where rebels flourished.

Alberto said this was made possible through relentless efforts of the Philippine Army’s 10th Infantry Division, the local government units (LGUs) and its partnered agencies, Army’s 1001st Infantry Brigade with 701st Brigade and 1003rd Brigade, and the line battalions.

“The vast improvement in the security situation in the province whereas all the 11 municipalities have been declared as CMDRA for having attained relative peace and ready for development in order for the LGUs through the provincial peace and order council (Ppoc) to take the lead-role in the attainment of the goals and objectives,” Alberto said.

Alberto said the current peace and order situation in Compostela Valley province allows the government machineries to deliver services even to the far flung areas.

This also allowed infrastructure projects to be completed.

On the signing of the memorandum of agreement (Moa), Alberto said, the provincial government and their brigade both agreed that the intent of the CMDRA declaration is building confidence among people and various stakeholders in order to create an environment that is conducive to socio-economic, cultural and spiritual development.

Provincial Governor Jayvee Tyron L. Uy, meanwhile, said the Compostela Valley to be declared as CMDRA is already a great leap for all of them. “We have to remain vigilant and proactive for the sake of the people. The job to combat the apparent problems on insurgency, criminality, drug addiction, and serious threats is quite tough – it entails our full commitment to serve our homeland and even our lives,” Uy said in his speech.

Meanwhile, Army’s 10th Infantry Division commander Rafael Valencia urged the members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s ArmyNational Democratic Front (CPPNPA-NDF) to respect the wish of the Comvaleños for peace in their province.