402nd Brigade secures voters in far-flung barangays
By
Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN
CITY – The 402nd Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army continues to
monitor the peace and order situation in the far-flung areas within its Area of
Responsibility (AOR) that are also identified to have presence of the New
People’s Army (NPA).
According
to LTC
Jeffrey Balingao, Executive Officer of 402nd Brigade, this is to ensure that
everything is in control during the conduct of May 9, 2022 National and Local
Elections.
"We
cover 95 barangays in rural areas within our AOR and the rest are handled by
the PNP. The 402nd Brigade covers areas of LASBUENASCAR (Las Nieves,
Buenavista, Nasipit, Carmen); Butuan City; some barangays in the municipality
of Esperanza and Bayugan City in the province of Agusan del Sur; and parts of
Misamis Oriental. We also assured the locals that they are guarded especially
during the conduct of May 9, 2022 National and Local elections," said
Balingao.
He
bared that there were only three election-related incidents recorded in line
with the implementation of Gun Ban.
“In
so far as our security is concern, everything is under control and manageable.
The last Guerilla Front in the AOR particularly in Misamis Oriental
had been dismantled, as part of our clearing efforts in the NPA formation. We
are just waiting for the final order for the declaration,” he said.
Balingao
also expressed his optimism that the peace and development efforts established
through the implementation of Executive Order No. 70 or the whole-of-nation
approach to end local communists armed conflict (ELCAC) will be sustained by
the next administration, as well as of those people's organizations and other
sectors who are involved and have contributed to the progress of the said
program and implementation of the Barangay Development Plan.
He
emphasized that this will prevent recruitment of more innocent people to join
the senseless cause of the communist terrorist groups, as people are already
indulged in the government's programs and services. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)