BALER, Aurora — The Province of Aurora reaffirmed its state of stable internal peace and security on Thursday, September 24, 2026, as government and security agencies strengthened their commitment to coordinated action through the “Bantay Aurora” Joint/Inter-Agency Peace and Security Plan and the PNP-PCG-LGU-AFP Collaborative Efforts (P.L.A.C.E.) Program.

The reaffirmation was made during the 3rd Quarter Joint Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC), Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC), and Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) Meeting, held alongside the ceremonial signing of Bantay Aurora and the implementation of the P.L.A.C.E. Program at the Training Hall, Annex Building, Provincial Capitol Compound, Barangay Suklayin, Baler.

In his message, Aurora Gov. Isidro P. Galban said the activity went beyond the signing of a declaration, describing it as a shared commitment to ensuring that families can live without fear, farmers can work their land peacefully, fishermen can return safely to shore, and children can go to school with confidence in their future.

Galban emphasized that peace is not merely the absence of conflict but also the assurance that families are safe, communities are orderly, and people can pursue their aspirations. He said maintaining peace and security is a shared responsibility among government institutions and the communities they serve.

The governor also linked peace and security to the province’s development agenda, stressing that economic activity, tourism, livelihood, and opportunities for young people depend on a secure environment.

Meanwhile, Police Colonel Cornelio D. Ordanza, officer-in-charge of the Aurora Police Provincial Office, underscored the role of inter-agency cooperation in preventing threats and maintaining public safety.

Ordanza said the Bantay Aurora framework is not limited to responding to crimes but also involves anticipating and preventing threats through coordinated efforts among government and security agencies. He described the declaration as a commitment to accountability and action in protecting communities and maintaining public order.

For the Philippine Army, Lt. Col. Michelangelo G. Ramirez, commanding officer of the 91st Infantry “Sinagtala” Battalion, read the message of Maj. Gen. Joseph Norwin D. Pasamonte, emphasizing that Aurora’s peace and security are the result of collective efforts by government leaders, agencies, security forces, community organizations, and residents.

Pasamonte said the 7th Infantry “Kaugnay” Division, 703rd “Agila” Brigade, and 91st Infantry “Sinagtala” Battalion would continue supporting the provincial government and partner agencies in preventing the resurgence of armed conflict, protecting communities, and creating conditions conducive to sustainable development.

He also emphasized the role of the whole-of-nation approach, noting that sustaining peace is not solely the responsibility of the military and police but also involves government institutions, communities, families, and individual citizens.

Brig. Gen. Eugenio Julio C. Osias, commander of the 703rd Infantry “Agila” Brigade, meanwhile, delivered a message of support from Lt. Gen. Aristotle D. Gonzalez, commander of the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM).

Gonzalez described the reaffirmation of Aurora’s stable internal peace and security as a recognition of the strength of its institutions, the resilience of its communities, and the collective capacity of its people to preserve peace. He stressed that sustaining peace requires continued cooperation and that its benefits should reach communities across the province.

He said the Bantay Aurora plan provides a common direction for translating the participating institutions’ commitment into coordinated action, while the P.L.A.C.E. Program provides a mechanism for closer cooperation among agencies.

Gonzalez further emphasized that security should be measured not only by the absence of threats but also by the confidence of residents, including the ability of children to study safely and farmers, fisherfolk, workers, and entrepreneurs to pursue their livelihoods.

He reaffirmed NOLCOM’s support for whole-of-government cooperation in Aurora, noting that the province’s security is connected to the broader stability of Northern Luzon.

The activity concluded with a renewed call for sustained coordination among government agencies, security forces, local governments, civil society, and communities to preserve Aurora’s peace and support its continuing development. (Jason de Asis)