MORE NEWS, ABRA

Outbreak of violence in Abra inevitable, says police official

BANGUED, Abra -- The occurrence of violence in this conflict-stricken province is still inevitable despite efforts of police and local officials to prevent acts that will lead to loss of lives and damage to properties.

Supt. Jesus Cambay, Jr., intelligence chief of the Cordillera police regional office bared this adding, the best way to combat violence especially among politicians and influential individuals is to always be careful in their daily activities.

According to him, the primary reasons for prevalence of violence in Abra are the intense political rivalry, jealousy, ambition of some politicians and individuals among others.

While it is true that the police were instrumental in the disbandment of numerous private armies operating in the different parts of the province, Cambay said people in the province could not afford to forego violence to fulfill their ambitions and other goals in life.

The past decades, Abra has been branded the “killing fields of the North” due to violent activities that resulted in loss of innocent lives, mostly politicians as well as damage to properties.

Police in the province were able to facilitate disbandment of nine private armed groups commissioned by various politicians especially during elections.

But Cambay said disbandment of private armies is not a concrete guarantee for the attainment of lasting peace because of the presence of certain elements that could turn the tables around.

At present, provincial and municipal officials successfully complied with their commitment that they will work hand in hand in attaining peace in the province the past eight months because of limited violent activities committed in the province.

Senior Supt. Alexander Pumecha, provincial director of the Abra provincial police office, said common crimes in the province were those related to revenge or as an offshoot of misunderstanding among families and friends.

He said if peace will reign in the province, it could become one of the most developed provinces in the country due to the presence of rich resources that are worthy of exploring by various companies intending to invest in the province.

Investors planning to pour in huge capital for the development of the province’s natural resources reportedly have second thoughts on doing business due to the unstable peace and order situation in the province.

Cambay said police and military are now beefing up their capabilities to track lawless elements in the province so they would be neutralized. -- Dexter A. See