AFP steps up deployment to help suppress lawless violence in NegOr.

 CAMP LAPULAPU—The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) stepped up deployment of more personnel in Negros Oriental in a sent off ceremony, March 11, following the announcement of DND Officer-In-Charge, Senior Undersecretary Carlito Galvez Jr., and the AFP Chief of Staff, General Andres Centino. to work with the PNP in suppressing lawlessness and criminality and restore normalcy in Negros.

 

The troops are composed of personnel from the six Army Battalions in Negros Island: the 11th Infantry Battalion; 94th Infantry Battalion; 79th Infantry Battalion; 62nd Infantry Battalion; 15th Infantry Battalion, and the 47th Infantry Battalion.

These troops are deployed in the areas of 3rd and 2nd Districts of Negros Oriental to step up the joint law enforcement operation in the province.

“The troops will be working closely with our PNP counterpart to step up the joint law enforcement efforts in order to capture the remaining suspects of the violent attack that killed Gov Degamo and eight other individuals, the soonest possible time,” LT/Gen Benedict Arevalo, Commander of Visayas Command bared.

The deployment was in line with the announcement of DND Officer-In-Charge, Senior Undersecretary Carlito Galvez Jr. and the AFP Chief of Staff, General Andres Centino that additional AFP troops are to be deployed in Negros Island to suppress lawlessness and impunity and restore the peace and order situation in the area.

Arevalo also stressed that the deployment aims to ease the tension in the province and to encourage witnesses to come out, including the witnesses of previous unsolved killing incidents in the province.

“There will be no letup in our security efforts with the PNP. As mentioned by Senior Undersecretary Galvez Jr., this is the day of reckoning, and we will never falter in our efforts to enforce the full might of the law and restore peace and order in the entire Negros island,” Arevalo said.

Special Joint Task Force Negros was recently organized to step up the joint law enforcement operation of the AFP and the PNP in Negros Island. It is headed by Brigadier General Marion Sison, the Commander of the 3rd Infantry Division.

The Task Force will not only focus on the violent attacks that killed nine individuals including Gov Roel Degamo of Negros Oriental but will also dig deeper on previous unsolved killing incidents on the island.

Apart from the deployment of an Army elite unit to help the PNP in pursuing the remaining suspects of the violent attack against Gov Degamo, mlitary personnel can now be seen working with the PNP in the conduct of checkpoints and security patrols to ensure the safety of the family of the victims of the violent attack, build the confidence of the witnesses for them to come out including those of the previous unsolved killing incidents, and enforce the full might of the law.

 “Our troops are highly motivated to perform these tasks as directed by our Commander-In-Chief. Rest assured that justice will be served swiftly and that peace and order will be restored for all our people in the island,” Lt Gen Arevalo assured the people of Negros Oriental. (Photos: Visayas Media/PIO Centcom)