TACLOBAN CITY- The region remains to be generally peaceful with no intelligence information yet that the rebel group, the New People’s Army, plan to stage their attack against government forces or vital installations.
Thus said Major General Raul Farnacio, commanding general of the 8th Infantry Division whose headquarter is based in Catbalogan City.
Farnacio, however, said that they are still on alert for any possible attack from the NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
Armed attack coming from the rebel group is anticipated as the peace talks between the CPP-National Democratic Front and the national government broke down.
Thus, all soldiers in the region are on alert and vital installations like the geothermal plants in Barangay Tongonan, which straddles between Kananga and Ormoc City, is being secured.
But Farnacio remain positive that unlike in other parts of the country, he believes that the rebel group in the region is still open for a possible peace talks.
“Fr. Santiago Salas adheres to the NDF panel and there is a big chance that they are really pursuing peace, once and for all,” Farnacio said, referring to the spokesperson of the NDF in the region.
The Army general said that Salas is aware of the consequences what turmoil brings, particularly on the aspect of economy.
Because of the continued armed battle between the government and the rebel group, the three provinces in Samar Island are among the 10 poorest provinces in the country, Farnacio said.
He said that the military would like to contribute economic development to the provinces of Samar, Eastern Samar and Northern Samar by achieving peace on these areas.
Development, he stressed, could not be achieved if problem on security remains on these three Samar provinces.
Farnacio also expressed his support to both Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan and Tacloban City Mayor Cristina Romualdez who chairs the Regional Peace and Order Council and the Regional Development Council, respectively.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
