DUMAGUETE CITY — The Philippine Army on Friday disclosed that mayors and barangay officials in Negros Oriental are urged to step up their individual and collective efforts to stamp out the communist insurgency in their areas after the signing of a memorandum of agreement last Thursday.

302nd Infantry Brigade commander Brig. Gen. Joey Escanillas — whose battalion is based in Tanjay City in Negros Oriental — narrated that the agreement identifies the specific roles of the local government units and barangay officials in assisting law enforcement units in addressing the insurgency problem.

He added that in the current provincial government-led program to end local communist insurgency, some local executives appeared to be not proactive enough.

"Actually, the main role in the
anti-insurgency fight should be with the mayors because many of the members of these communist terrorist groups are their constituents," said Escanillas.

He added that the issues and concerns raised by these insurgents have to be addressed first and foremost by the LGUs and barangays through their officials while the military and the police are tasked to deal with the problem through armed operations.

The city, municipal and barangay officials know their constituents better and have linkages with them, making it easier to reach out to them and address their issues.

"The usual issues raised by the communist groups against the government, such as land, delivery of basic services, and project implementation, ought to be given attention to prevent the resurgence of the insurgency in their areas," Escanillas said.

The agreement between the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, the Provincial Peace and Order Council and city and municipal mayors in Negros Oriental aim to come up with harmonized programs and projects to eradicate the insurgency problem.