Leyte now has 16 rebel-free towns – Army

From the Manila Bulletin (Mar 1): Leyte now has 16 rebel-free towns – Army

Ormoc City, Leyte – The neighboring town of Kananga has been declared insurgency-free after the Philippine Army (PA)’s 19th Infantry Battalion (IB) and the municipal government declared this former stronghold of the New People’s Army in northern Leyte a Stable and Internal Peace and Security Area last Monday,  Feb. 29.

Kananga is the 16th town declared insurgency-free in Leyte. Other towns in the province similarly given Stable Internal Peace and Security status are Matag-ob, Palompon, Tabango, Barugo, Babatngon, San Miguel, Leyte, Pastrana, Tolosa, Dagami, Calubian, Sta. Fe, Alangalang and Tunga.

The joint declaration according rebel-free status on Kananga was pursued upon the recommendation of 19th IB and subsequent legislation by the 20th Sangguniang Bayan through Resolution No. 20R-14-791.

Ormoc City Mayor Elmer C. Codilla considers the declaration an achievement, citing his administration’s capability to address the needs of his constituents as a key factor in attaining the town’s current state.

 

For his part, Col. Francisco Mendoza Jr., Commander of the PA’s 802nd Infantry Brigade is optimistic that the declaration would attract investors to Kananga.

He added that the declaration is a clear indication that there is development going on in Kananga. Still, Mendoza said, despite the prevalence of peace in the town, he vowed that the authorities will not stop working to maintain stability in the area.

http://www.mb.com.ph/leyte-now-has-16-rebel-free-towns-army/