THE family of shipping magnate Merian Reyes has donated to the Armed Forces a 100-hectare land in Quezon, boosting the military’s internal and external defense operations.
Lt. Gen. Facundo Palafox IV, commander of the AFP Southern Luzon Command (Solcom), received the property in San Narciso during a ceremony last week.
“We’re very happy (with the donation) because the civilian sector — Merian Reyes — has decided to be part of our security effort to maintain peace and security in southern Luzon,” Palafox said yesterday.
Palafox said they are eyeing to transfer Solcom’s headquarters to the property from its current location in Lucena City, also in Quezon.
He said it may take five to 10 years before the transfer can be realized, citing the need to develop the area.
Palafox said they intend to use the property to sustain the gains in the fight against the communist New People’s Army. He said there are around 300 rebels operating in the entire southern Tagalog.
“We need to address the possible resurgence and recovery efforts by the NPA of the barangays in the area,” said Palafox.
Palafox described the Reyes clan as “peace-minded” people who are “willing to (help) sustain the momentum to finally end the (NPA) armed group in Quezon.”
