Military hopeful region will be insurgency-free by 2016

CATBALOGAN CITY – Military officials in Eastern Visayas were lauded for their efforts to curb insurgency through various approaches such as military combat and civil military operations.

In celebration of the 24th founding anniversary of the 8th Infantry Division last August 3, Central Command Commander Lieutenant General Ralph Villanueva said the presence of the military in the region will pave the way for peace and security and development in the region.

Villanueva cited as examples the declaration of Biliran and Southern Leyte as insurgency-free provinces, and the province of Leyte as “conflict manageable and development ready area.”

Villanueva said that although they are targeting the region to be insurgency-free by 2016, he said they will do their best to achieve it earlier.

He said that once declared as insurgency-free, the region will experience development in its economy, industry and tourism, like what happened in Bohol and Cebu.

“Investors will come and businesses will prosper if the Army achieved its goal for this region,” he said. (Leyte Samar Daily Express)