THE Visayas Command (Viscom) awaits the decision of the Department of National Defense (DND) on whether to accept Governor Gwendolyn Garcia’s offer to relocate Camp Lapulapu in Barangay Apas, Cebu City to a 1,050-hectare property in the western town of Tuburan.
“We are very thankful to our good governor for the offer and we have referred the matter to the DND since they are the ones that exercise the authority, directions and control over military affairs, which include the establishment of military installations,” said Army Major Israel Galorio, Viscom chief information officer.
Galorio clarified that Viscom had no objections to the 2019 Supreme Court ruling that returned 16 parcels of land that included Camp Lapulapu to the Provincial Government.
He said Viscom representatives even attended the ceremonial turnover of the properties at the Provincial Capitol where both parties agreed to find a solution to the problems that continued to dog the issue.
“There is no finality on the matter. Rest assured that we will abide by the policies and directives that will be issued by the DND pertaining this matter,” he said.
Galorio said the Bohol Provincial Government also offered a property in Bohol as a possible relocation site for the camp.
Meanwhile, Galorio assured the public that a transfer wouldn’t affect Viscom’s internal security operations against forces that threatened the government and residents of Central Visayas.
He also said they already informed soldiers affected by the transfer of properties to the Cebu Provincial Government to prepare to move out. (AYB/PJB)