Chan urges Samar governor to construct roads, bridges and electricity to Samar remote areas to address insurgency

By NINFA B. QUIRANTE
October 12, 2010

CATBALOGAN, Samar  –  The commanding general of the 8th Infantry Division MGen. Mario Chan urged Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan to hasten the construction of roads, bridges and power to Samar’s remote barangays to discourage insurgency.

Speaking before the Provincial Peace and Order Council Meeting on Friday, October 8, 2010, Chan also solicited the synchronized implementation for projects to usher development in the area.

He recounted that the army has discovered a camp by the insurgents located in the tri-boundaries of Samar provinces, particularly, Las Navas (north) Jipapad (east) and Matuginao (west). The government troops have discovered that the Central Party Committee of the CPP/NPA has been camping in Samar Island.

Although Chan admitted that there are but a few of the rebels left including their arms, still he believes that the army alone can never solve the problem.

The army chief also recommends that local leaders must take a strong stand against CPP/NPA. The insurgency problem, he believes needs a highly coordinated and synchronized response from all government entities.

Further, he stated that the army needs additional troops particularly the return of the 43rd Infantry Battalion and the 46th Infantry Battalion that have been deployed to Mindanao.

Chan, like former 8th ID Chief Arthur Tabaquero also hailed Bohol and Cebu for being able to fizzle out the flames of insurgency.

He urged the local government to increase/expand the ‘mobility corridors’ for them to pursue insurgents so that peace and development can truly come in.