ZAMBALES — The Zambales provincial government has partnered with the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to promote progress and development in the province through a sustained peace and security program.
The partnership was embodied in a joint declaration signed here at Balin Sambali on Friday, November 28, by Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. Ebdane and Vice Governor Jacqueline Khonghun, along with key officials of the government’s uniformed services.
Among those who signed the declaration were BGen Cesar A. Molina, deputy commander of the AFP Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom); BGen Mario D. Jacinto, assistant division commander of the 7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division of the Philippine Army; P/Col Reynaldo S. Ogay Jr., Region III PNP deputy regional director for operations; CDR Mhar N. Ventura, PCG deputy commander of the CGK9–EOD Force; and Mark Anthony B. Ruelos, commander of the Philippine Army’s 69th Infantry Battalion in Zambales.
Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. and NOLCOM deputy commander BGen Cesar A. Molina discuss peace and security matters during the program reaffirming the State of Stable Internal Peace and Security (SSIPS) in Zambales on November 28, Friday. (Ang Pahayagan photo / JUN DUMAGUING)
Ebdane, who heads both the provincial and regional Peace and Order Council (PPOC), stressed that peace and development could only be achieved through teamwork.
“The various local government units (LGUs) need assistance from the uniformed forces to attain development. And peace and security should, indeed, be a collaborative effort because the community is part of the justice system,” he said.
The joint declaration committed the government uniformed services to work closely with LGUs, the PPOC, and other peace stakeholders to foster harmony, security, and unity, and sustain the provincial government’s efforts to maintain the State of Stable Internal Peace and Security (SSIPS) in the province.
It also recognized the PACE program as the guiding framework for inter-agency coordination, and called for operational collaboration through the Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Center (JPSCC), full implementation of the Joint Operational Plan “Sanib Pwersa” Zambales as a mechanism for effective and efficient peace and security operations and timely response to emerging threats; as well as transparency, accountability, respect for human rights, and adherence to the rule of law in all joint undertakings under the PACE framework.
In his message, Ebdane also stressed the need to consider psychosocial factors in peacekeeping and security operations, pointing out that most rebels join the movement because of injustice, poverty, or mal-governance.
He said this is the reason why his administration is focused on education, health, livelihood, and resource allocation and distribution: to uplift the lives of Zambaleños.
“We have made mistakes before, but now we have a thinking armed forces, which is no longer just tactical, but strategic. We have to put a stop to the cycle,” Ebdane said.
Zambales reaffirmed the SSIPS and formally adopted the PNP-AFP Collaborative Efforts (PACE) program as the primary interagency coordination mechanism for sustaining peace and security last September 23.
According to Director Melissa D. Nipal, OIC Zambales provincial director of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Zambales has been declared one of the most peaceful provinces in the country in the last two years.
This status, she said, had served as a big come-on for investments, and also reflected the fact that economic development opportunities are open for residents. (Taktikom News and Features)
TOP : Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. and Vice Governor Jacqueline Khonghun sign the joint declaration to promote development in the Zambales through a sustained peace and security program. (Ang Pahayagan photo / JUN DUMAGUING)
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