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San Fernando City, La Union (14 September) -- "The Province of La Union is indeed a very peaceful province". Thus declared the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Army (PA) when they signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the provincial government of La Union for a "Joint Declaration of Insurgency-Cleared Areas and Partnership for Strengthening the Internal Security in the Province".

Signatories to the MOA were Provincial Governor Manoling C. Ortega, Major General Nestor Z. Ochoa, AFP Commander, 5th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army and PNP Regional Director PC/Supt. Ramon V. Gatan. Witnesses to this signing were non other than the PNP Chief General Jesus A. Verzosa and La Union 1st District Congressman Victor F. Ortega.

Signed at the Diego Silang Hall of the Provincial Capitol, this MOA, according to Maj. Gen. Nestor Ochoa, "symbolizes a unified province that has attained peace through a convergence effort, thru transparency and holistic approach."

The MOA pushes for "role shifting" of responsibilities, that after clearing Northern Luzon of communist insurgents, focus shifts in addressing vital local issues that blocks our chances for future economic growth and development.

The declaration of "La Union Province as cleared of NPA or armed component of the Communist Terrorist insurgency" is a one-step forward for the common goal to totally eradicate communist terrorism for the whole of Northern Luzon.

Also during the event, the La Union Police Provincial Office (LUPPO) headed by P/Supt. Noli G. Taliño, presented three NPA guerillas, who recently surrendered with San Juan Police Chief Inspector Marlon Paiste. They were Rona Morales a.k.a. "Kumander Maya"; Cris Morales, husband of Rona; and Richard Crispe, all from Northern Samar.

The excellent peace and order situation in the province prompted them to surrender here, Taliño said, as their comrades who surrendered earlier in Samar were liquidated.

A.45 caliber pistol which was turned over to the PNP was also presented to the public during the program.

Resolving the insurgency problem brings assurance to the people's safety as well as gaining back investor confidence and tourist influx in the Ilocano region. (PIA RO-LU)

This story is provided by the Philippine Information Agency.