Another Leyte town declared 'insurgency-free'

From the Philippine Information Agency (Sep 14): Another Leyte town declared 'insurgency-free'

MERIDA, Leyte - Military, police and local officials witnessed the signing of the joint declaration of an “insurgency-free” Merida at the town’s ABC Session Hall, September 4.

The joint declaration was signed by Mayor Jesus Antonio Martinez and Col. Arnulfo Matanguihan, Deputy Commander of the 802nd Infantry Brigade and attended by officials from the 22 barangays of Merida.

Also present as witnesses were Mr. Joselito delos Angeles, Secretary to the Sanggunian who represented Vice-Mayor Marcos Antonio Solaña; Lt. Col. Nedy Espulgar, commanding officer of the 19th Infantry Battalion; and Police Inspector Eduardo Satorre, Chief of Police who represented Leyte Police Provincial Director Brigido Unay.

Mr. Delos Angeles, said the pronouncement was based on the enacted Sangguniang Bayan Resolution No. 14-15-092 which authorized Mayor Martinez to sign the joint declaration as an “insurgency free” municipality attested by Vice-Mayor Solaña and adopted by the council on June 18, 2014.

Merida is the second town in the provinces of Leyte, Southern Leyte and Biliran to be declared insurgency-free, next to Matag-ob (Leyte) which was declared last June 12.

The town’s insurgency situation was on its peak in 2000 and dwindled in 2006 with the surrender of several insurgents when top ranking cadres were neutralized by government forces.

It can be recalled that the provinces of Biliran and Southern Leyte were both declared insurgency-free in December 2008 and October 2011, respectively. Likewise, the province of Leyte was also declared as Manageable Conflict-Affected and Development Ready Area in December 2011.

Lt. Col. Espulgar said that the 19IB had been pushing local chief executives to declare their respective towns or cities as insurgency-free early this year.

“We assessed and set priorities which town will go first, send proposals to the Local Chief Executives then attend Sangguniang Bayan Sessions and encourage LGUs to reactivate their Local Peace and Order Councils which are appropriate venues in discussing peace and order concerns, ” Espulgar added.

On the other hand, Mayor Martinez explained the impact and benefit in declaring Merida as insurgency-free. Just recently, he said, a certain company is eyeing to put up a solar energy plant in town.

“An insurgency-free town will mean strong economic confidence from the business sector”, the Mayor said.

Finally, Col. Matanguihan called the continued support of the local officials of Merida to be one in achieving peace as he also underscored this year’s theme of the National Peace Consciousness Month celebration, “Nagkakaisang Bayan para sa Kapayapaan.”

 “Ito ay deklarasyon na hindi na natin muling payagan ang insurhensiya sa bayan ng Merida. Ito ay desisyon na dapat panindigan nating lahat." (This is a declaration that never again shall we allow insurgency to set foot in the town of Merida. This is a decision that we must all stand for). (19th IB, 8ID)

http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=1211410653079