Governor Sharee Ann Tan, in a text message, said that there is
nothing wrong with the directive as long as the security sector will abide by
the policy, properly implement and will not abuse it.
“It was successfully implemented in Mindanao and supported by the
local executives,” Tan said on Thursday.
Samar (1st District) Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento, in an interview on
Wednesday, said their aspiration is for the province to become peaceful,
especially that the mid-term election is approaching.
“Our ultimate objective is to end the violence, the killings that
is happening in the province,” Sarmiento said. I am thankful to President
Rodrigo Duterte for this effort and I am hoping that this will help in
suppressing lawless violence in the province,” he said.
Samar for the past years has been haunted by series of killings
allegedly perpetuated by private armed groups (PAGS), wherein most of the
victims are village officials or political party leaders. The province has been
in the hot spot or watch list every election season.
Sarmiento asked residents not to panic even with the presence of
more uniformed men.
Early this week, top police and military officials in Eastern
Visayas assured strict adherence to human rights amid President Rodrigo
Duterte’s directive to augment forces in Samar province to suppress “lawless
violence” and acts of terror.
Malacañang issued the directive, signed by Executive Secretary
Salvador Medialdea on Nov. 22, amid "sporadic acts of violence allegedly
committed by lawless groups particularly in the provinces of Samar, Negros
Oriental and Occidental, and Bicol Region.”
The order, titled “Reinforcing the guidelines for the Armed Forces
of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police in the implementation of
measures to suppress and prevent lawless violence,” directed the Department of
National Defense and the Department of the Interior and Local Government to
coordinate in the deployment of additional troops. (JSA/PNA)
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