Camiguin takes lead role in ISO

CAMIGUIN province will now be in-charge for its internal security operations following a handover presided by the Army’s 4th Infantry Division (4th ID) late last week.

The handover ceremony was a joint effort between the 4th ID and the province’s local government units, which now has primary role of handling any insurgency problem in the island.

The handover of internal security operations seeks to provide transitional mechanism to clearly define the shift from lead and support roles, and vice versa, between the military and the LGUs.

The signing of the MOA was spearheaded by Major General Victor A Felix, Commander, 4thID, PA, and Hon. Jurdin Jesus M Romualdo, Governor of Camiguin together with other stakeholders and witnesses.

In a speech, Governor Romualdo said the province was already peaceful and the insurgency in Northern Mindanao was already on its twilight.

“What remains are the abusive acts of the New People’s Army (NPA), which defies the law,” Gov. Romualdo added.

Lt. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer, commander of Eastern Mindanao Command, said, “The handover of ISO does not entail the withdrawal of our soldiers from this province.”

“Instead, local chief executives, who are the focal persons in the multi-stakeholder convergence for peace and development, shall provide direction while the peace and order councils shall be responsible in synergizing efforts toward a common goal,” Gen. Ferrer added.

Recently, the province of Misamis Oriental’s ISO responsibility was already “handed over” to its Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC).

Major Noli P. Kanashiro, spokesperson of 4ID, said, “The handover of the ISO signifies that the 4ID, PA and the government are already winning peace in the region because we won the hearts and minds of the majority of the populace.” (Sun.Star/Press Release)