CdeO insurgency-free tag shelved

THE City Council committee on laws and rules, chaired by Councilor Edgar Cabanlas, has temporarily shelved the proposed resolution declaring Cagayan de Oro City insurgency-free, pending validation and certification from national security agencies.

Col. Manuel Estanilla, commanding officer of Task Force Oro, said the final determination rests on the joint certification of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police.

Estanilla explained that such certification can only be issued once the 1st Special Forces Battalion declares the city under Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS), subject to further validation by the 403rd Brigade led by Col. Seigfred Tubalado.

Meanwhile, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) City Director Ellaine Depaur said the matter had already been discussed during the recent meeting of the City Peace and Order Council.

Depaur emphasized that specific parameters must first be met before any formal declaration can be made.

She added that authorities are still awaiting the joint AFP-PNP certification to validate whether the city meets the standards for SIPS.

“The process is long and requires complete documentation and validation,” Depaur further pointed out.

Cabanlas, who presided over the meeting, clarified that the city government remains open to complying with and going through the process. (FDC/SP)