MANILA, Philippines - The military on Thursday turned over to the province of Romblon and to the local police the handling of the counter-insurgency campaign, saying the threat posed by communist insurgents had been greatly reduced.

Romblon is the fourth province where the internal security operations against the insurgents are now being handled by the local officials and Philippine National Police. Other provinces where the military has turned over counter-insurgency operations to local peace and order councils are Marinduque, La Union and Bohol.

“Per our assessment, the province is insurgency free, meaning it is now the ownership of the peace and order council as to the maintenance of the peace and order in the area. With this turn over or handover, the Philippine National Police will now  play a more active role in maintaining peace and order in their area,” Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner, Armed Forces public affairs office chief, said.

Brawner said the Southern Luzon Command Lt. Gen. Roland Detabali and 2nd Infantry Division chief Maj. Gen. Jorge Segovia led the turnover to Gov. Natalio Belbran following the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement.

He said soldiers will remain in the area to play a support role to the PNP in the anti-insurgency campaign. He added that the soldiers will also help in intelligence gathering, maintenance or supervision of Cafgus; and security of vital installations.

Brawner said 20 more provinces may be turned over to the provincial peace and order councils by next year due to weakening of New People's Army operations.
These include the former NPA hotbed Quezon, Pampanga, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Quezon, western side of Camarines Sur, Sorsogon, Batangas, Cavite, Cebu, Leyte, Samar, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, and Nueva Viscaya.

The military spokesman said he is confident that the AFP would accomplish the mission given by President Arroyo to end the insurgency problem on or before she finisher her term next year. Military estimates placed the rebel strength at about 4,000 men.