MAYOR Teresita Ong of Gloria, Oriental Mindoro is congratulated by Lt. Col. Roden Fulache, deputy police director for administration of the Oriental Mindoro Police Provincial Office, and other police officers after her town was declared by the military under SIPS status on Monday, March 30. (Photo via Jerry Alcayde)
CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro – The Armed Forces of the Philippines has declared Gloria as a municipality in this province under Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS) status following the absence of armed encounters with anti-government forces and communist threat and influence.
Local government officials led by Mayor Teresita M. Ong received the SIPS seal from Col. Eric D. Guevarra, deputy commander of the 203rd Infantry Brigade, who represented the AFP in the ceremony that coincided with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the military and local municipal and barangay officials at the municipal conference hall on Monday, March 30.
Ong expressed her gratitude for the declaration, saying that this reflects the unwavering dedication and unity of all sectors in Gloria in forging peace and security.
“The people of Gloria, from the families, barangay, youths, and our constituents, have worked to become part of a solution as they chose the path for peace,” said Ong in her speech before military and police, members of the town council, barangay leaders, and other stakeholders.
The Sangguniang Bayan on Feb. 9 passed Resolution No. 205-2016 authorizing the municipal mayor to enter into and sign an MOU with the AFP for institutionalized coordination, monitoring, and continued maintenance of peace and order within the municipality.
The resolution was signed and unanimously approved by the 10 municipal councilors and Vice Mayor Wilfredo Condesa, the presiding officer.
SIPS is a designation used by the military and Philippine National Police indicating that the province or town is relatively peaceful though not necessarily insurgency-free.