Yet, Marinduque remains at peace

Communities in Marinduque remain peaceful and insurgency-free nearly a year after the internal security operations of the Armed forces of the Philippines (AFP) was turned over to the province’s Peace and Order Council (PPOC). The continuing peaceful status is attributed to the effective maintenance of security by the local government as well as the PPOC's observance of the provisions embodied in the Memorandum of Agreement. Marinduque was the first province to be declared insurgency-free by the AFP.

(Gov. Carrion and AFP Southern Luzon Command Chief Roland Detabali after MOA signing)

One of the commitments made by the PPOC as stipulated in the MOA between PPOC chairman Governor Jose Antonio Carrion, the AFP, and of the PNP was for the province to “use reasonable resources to ensure that the CPP-NPA will not be able to influence any political subdivision of the province” as well as to “conduct activities designed to prevent resurgence of the communist terrorists in the province of Marinduque”.

Marinduque had 20 NPA affected barangays in 2004; this number reduced to zero by 2008. As for NPA’s strength, it had 47 armed members during the years 2004-2007 but had been reduced to zero by 2008.

(Village children in interior Boac at play with the Bulating)

To date, two of Region 14-B's, or MIMAROPA (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) provinces, the other being Romblon, have been declared free of CPP-NPA influence. Romblon was declared free of NPA influence on December 2009.

“With the absence of NPA intimidation and terrorism in the province of Marinduque, the people began to experience progress as the business climate and tourist arrivals improve”, said Brig. Gen Francisco N. Cruz Jr, Civil Relations Service commander.

(Malbog Sulfuric Hot Spring, Buenavista)

“We appreciate the local executives in these insurgency free areas for having been our active partners in securing their respective communities. They can be assured that with the primary responsibility of internal security operations transferred to them, the AFP shall always support them. We hope for other provinces and locales to experience this as well, how it is to be free from fear and harassment”, said Cruz

(Maniwaya beach, Sta. Cruz. Boracay of the future)

Source: balita-dot-ph