CentCom chief to gov: Cebu will remain insurgency-free

CEBU, Philippines - After he assumed as the new commander of the Central Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Major General Nicanor Vivar has vowed to help the province of Cebu, as well as other provinces in Central Visayas, maintain their insurgency-free status.

Vivar said this was the “mutual requirement” inked when he paid a courtesy visit to Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III yesterday.

“Ang mutual requirement lang namin is to have a peaceful Cebu,” he told reporters.

It was in 2009 when the AFP CentCom declared Cebu and Bohol insurgency-free.

On May 31 this year, the Regional Peace and Order Council-7, during its quarterly meeting, also announced that Siquijor is free of insurgents while Negros Oriental is “on its way” of becoming such.

RPOC-7 also declared that the whole Central Visayas is “conflict manageable” and “development-ready” region.

Former Central Command chief Major General John Bonafos explained that violent incidences have “weakened or minimized” in these areas.

Vivar further said AFP is aiming to make all regions in Visayas as “conflict manageable” by 2016.

Following the reports on the killing of some law enforcers in their pursuit to curb illegal drugs, Davide, in a separate interview, said drug-related incidents would be discussed in the next RPOC-7 meeting by third week of September or first week of October with Vivar being the co-chair of RPOC-7

“That is one thing that we have to seriously look into. In fact usa sa among sabot (with Vivar), we will be convening to discuss, among others, kanang drug-related problems,” Davide told reporters. He chairs the RPOC-7.

Vivar assumed as the new CentCom commander on August 15 this year after Bonafos, who has been transferred to higher headquarters as vice chief of staff, relinquished his post.

Vivar, a member of the Philippine Military Academy  “Sandigan” Class of 1982, was the former commander of the Philippine Air Force 3rd Air Division based at the Edwin Andrews Air Base in Zamboanga City

He already received numerous commendations to include the Distinguished Service Star, Presidential Medal of Merit, Bronze Cross Medals, Silver Wing Medal and the Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao Campaign Medals.  (FREEMAN)