Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo urged the Negrenses  to help curb insurgency and criminality in the province and cited the local army and police forces in sustaining peace efforts.  

Degamo commended the cops for job well done in arresting a suspect and the recovery of P7 million worth of jewelry from Agencia Belen Pawnshop in Dumaguete City.

In a presscon during the opening Monday of National Peace Consciousness Month, Degamo said he will continue to support and assist law enforcers and partners with the local legislative branch to sustain the peace and development campaign in the province.

The governor also cited the role of local officials in the fight against insurgency. Degamo specifically mentioned the help of vice mayor Nelson Ruiz of San Jose town to whom an alleged New People’s Army member voluntarily surrendered to him.

Along with other two rebel returnees, three surrenderees received financial assistance of P3,000 each from the provincial government in support of the Social Integration Program of the Philippine Army and Office of the Presidential Assistant on the Peace Process (Opapp).

Degamo turned-over the funding livelihood assistance to NPA rebel returnees during the kick off of the National Peace Consciousness Month flag raising ceremony Monday at Freedom Park, Dumaguete City.

In the same activity, vice-governor Mark Macias assured that the Sangguniang Panlalawigan strongly supports the peace efforts for the benefit and development of the province.

Macias believed that it is important to harmonize the peace efforts in the province, as he assured the support of the  local legislative branch, notwithstanding political parties. (mbcn/JCT/PIA7-Negros Oriental)