HON. ROEL R. DEGAMO
Governor
Negros Oriental
Honorable Mayors, LtGen Oscar T Lactao AFP, Commander CENTCOM, MGen Jon Aying AFP, Commander 3rd Infantry Division, newly-promoted Commodore Bernabe AFP, Commander, NAVFORCEN, CSupt Noli Taliño, PNP RD7, NICA 7 Director, Col Lenart Lalina (MNSA) PA, U2 CENTCOM, Capt Jorge Ibarra PN (GSC), Commander Joint Task Group DETER, Bimbo Miraflor, Director, Provincial Task Force on Security, Task Force LEON KILAT, interagency members of Task Group Maritime Safety and Security, men in uniform, ladies and gentlemen:
Your presence today is very much appreciated by your provincial government in Negros Oriental. Our people in this part of Negros Island are very much optimistic of any government efforts, both local and national, to keep their peace. We have seen how these terrorists operate and surreptitiously transport themselves to Bohol.
Though our intelligence operatives were able to track them, the help of the community in Inabanga, Bohol counts a lot. Surely, it needs a whole village to send a strong message to terrorists that we do not condone terrorism and any acts inimical to national security.
In Negros Oriental, the creation of Task Force LEON KILAT is a welcome development in our efforts for safety and security. The close coordination and cooperation efforts among the member agencies of TFLK with the units of Joint Task Group Deter these past days have been very laudable.
Intelligence and security briefing, meeting with Muslim leaders, mobilization of Fisherfolks, Bantay Dagat and Barangay Tanods, PAF aerial reconnaissance, foot and seaborne patrols, troop movements, augmentation of PNP and PA forces, the deployment of naval assets, all these were clearly coordinated and executed without hassle and delay.
Today, in this operational and security briefing, the Provincial Government of Negros Oriental affirms our commitment to safety and security. I call on our people to trust their government, and be ever vigilant. Report all suspicious looking or unknown individuals in their area to local authorities.
Finally, I enjoin all our forces, PNP, PA, PCG, PN, PAF, to show no mercy to these terrorists because we cannot afford to lose a tourist or resident taken as captive by these bandits; our tourism industry will surely collapse and it will take long years to bring it back again.
God forbid! Thank you and good morning. (Prepared by Mr. Bimbo Miraflor, Executive Director, Task Force Leon KIlat)