Benitez underscores economic development in attaining peace and order

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez welcomed the recent development on the declaration of Bacolod as insurgency-free, as he emphasized its significance on peace and order in the city.

The signing of a resolution for the said declaration was made during the 2nd Quarter Regional Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Center (RJPSCC) meeting held at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) here on May 19.

It came four years after the city declared the New People’s Army (NPA) persona non-grata here in 2019.

During the Monday press briefing, Benitez stressed that economic development is important in attaining peace and order.

“Isa sa ga engganyo sa ila magsulod (armed struggle), kung nabudlayan sila,” the mayor said.

He said that once the local government will provide livelihood and economic development, all of these things will disappear.

The RJPSCC resolution specified the need for continuous collaboration among the security forces and the community to prevent the resurgence of any Communist Terrorist Group (CTG)-affiliated sectoral groups and to deter terrorism, and other organized crime activities in the city.

Meanwhile, a 40-year-old man who is a member of a militant group surrendered to the police and the military troopers in Talisay City, Negros Occidental on May 19.

According to the police, the man withdrew his support from the NPA and turned over to the authorities a .38 caliber firearm.

The surrendered firearm was placed under the custody of the 1st Negros Occidental Provincial Mobile Force Company, while the man will be endorsed to the unit’s Project Pag-ulikid: Compassion with Action, for him to receive appropriate benefits, the police said.