ORAS, Eastern Samar, May 15 -- The Philippine Army
based in this province has intensified their monitoring in upland communities
to deter activities of the New People’s Army (NPA), especially in
poverty-stricken communities.
Lt. Col. Manuel Leo Gador, commander of the Army
14th Infantry Battalion based in Dao village in this town, said the entire
Eastern Samar province was peaceful as military took full control of areas
considered to be rebel-infested in the past.
Of the 22 towns in Eastern Samar, only four
(Jipapad, Maslog, Mac Arthur, and Giporlos) were not yet declared as manageable
conflict-affected and development-ready by the provincial government and
military.
“The peace and order of Eastern Samar is manageable
compared to other provinces in the region where the NPA rebels have been waging
war against government troops over the past years,” Gador told PNA on Monday.
The official made the statement days after fresh
clashes between the military and communist rebels in neighboring Northern Samar
and Leyte provinces as NPA makes effort to renew presence in Eastern Visayas
region.
Meanwhile, the army official assured the safety of
members of the United States Armed Forces in Eastern Samar for the Balikatan
military exercise focused on humanitarian works.
More soldiers have been deployed to secure Guiuan
town where post-disaster rehabilitation activities have been conducted as part
of this year’s Philippines-US Balikatan.
“We do value our relationships with the US Armed
Forces and we are working together to accomplish common objectives of the
Balikatan in Guiuan. Our intent is to do what is necessary to improve the
stability and security of the province. It’s by working together that we can
achieve our goal of lasting peace,” Gador added.
(Jazmin Bonifacio/PNA)
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