THE province of Misamis Occidental is now free from rebels, said Governor Henry S. Oaminal Sr. who cited the feat to successful military operations bolstered by local government initiatives.
In a statement, Oaminal said: “This milestone is a testament to the strength of our unity, and what we can achieve when we lead and work with it in our minds and our hearts.”
The governor likewise expressed his gratitude for “the opportunity to cooperate and collaborate with our military forces for our common goal of peace and order in every community.”
Philippine Army Major General Gabriel C. Viray, commander of the 1st Infantry (TABAK) Division, announced the official declaration with Oaminal.
The declaration was signed on March 3, 2024 by the leadership of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) and approved on March 11, 2024.
The declaration was made during the assumption of command ceremony for Oaminal, as he succeeded Lt. Col. Jaime G. Cajigas as the new battalion commander of the 903rd Misamis Occidental Ready Reserve Infantry Battalion (RRIBn).
“I want you to know the significant effort that was made under Governor Oaminal’s leadership in dismantling guerilla front Sendong,” Viray said. “Thanks to his guidance and support to our units, especially the 10th Infantry Battalion, the 102nd Brigade, and the 1st Infantry TABAK Division, the province allocated funds as a reward for those who facilitated the surrender or neutralization of these rebels.”
The provincial government of Misamis Occidental stepped up its efforts to facilitate the peaceful surrender of rebels by offering incentives, such as financial rewards or livelihood packages for their return to the community.
“This allocation expedited our operations, fostered greater cooperation among the populace, and bolstered the efforts of our units on the ground to dismantle the last remaining guerrilla front in the [Zamboanga] Peninsula and Misamis Occidental,” Viray said.
