VISIT. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. (right) meets with Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson (left) and other Negrense officials at the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City on Saturday morning (May 23, 2026). Teodoro was joined by ranking Philippine Army officials during the meeting ahead of his visit to troops of the 79th Infantry Battalion in Sagay City and 15th Infantry Battalion in Cauayan town. (Photo courtesy of Negros Occidental PIO)
BACOLOD CITY – Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. lauded the local government officials of Negros Occidental, led by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, for the province’s initiatives to address insurgency.
On Saturday, Teodoro met with Lacson and other Negrense officials at the Provincial Capitol here ahead of his visit to the troops of the 79th Infantry Battalion (79IB) in Sagay City and the 15th Infantry Battalion (15IB) in Cauayan town.
In a media interview, Teodoro said the provincial government has a “very good” reintegration program for communist rebels who return to the fold of the law.
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