The peace and security situation in Mindanao has been improving despite the killing of a provincial board member of Dinagat Islands, according to a Palace official.
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nogales said while he strongly condemns the killing of Wenefredo Oloferres in Surigao City, the incident has been described by authorities as “isolated.”
“The isolated killing of Board Member Oloferres notwithstanding, we can obviously see a vast improvement of the security situation in Mindanao,” said Nograles, the Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security for Region 13 or the Caraga region.
Proof of the improving security situation in the South, Nograles said, is the surrender to authorities of 396 New People’s Army supporters from Surigao del Norte. Nograles said 244 surrendered in Malimono while 152 yielded to authorities in a military camp in Placer.
“The national government will definitely continue working towards translating these results into more economic activity and improved livelihoods for our constituents there. We are securely realizing the full potential and promise of Mindanao,” the former Davao City lawmaker said.
Nograles called on the Philippine National Police to hasten the investigation on the killing of Oloferres and bring the culprits to justice. He noted that the PNP has offered a P100,000 reward for information about the assailants of the local official.
“We’re closely coordinating with the families and the local government on how to address the aftermath of this shooting. We’ve been assured that this is an isolated occurrence,” he said.
Oloferres, who won a second in term in the midterm elections, was driving his motorcycle Sunday when he was shot by unknown gunmen. He was pronounced dead in a hospital. (Genalyn Kabiling)