Entire Northern Luzon now insurgency-free

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 16): Entire Northern Luzon now insurgency-free

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has declared the entire Northern Luzon area as insurgency-free after Pampanga became the 22nd and last province to sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA).

 

Among those who took part in the ceremonial signing were AFP Chief of Staff General Emmanuel Bautista, Northern Luzon Command commander Lieutenant General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr., Army 7th Infantry Division commander Major General Hernando Iriberri, Army 703rd  Brigade commander Brigadier General Henry Sabarrre, Governor Lilia Pineda, Department of Interior and Local Government Provincial Director Myrvi Fabia and Philippine National Police (PNP) Provincial Director Sr. Supt. Oscar Albayalde.

 

In his message, Bautista expressed his gladness to be able to witness the transformation of Pampanga from a hot bed of socialist and anti-government movements to an insurgency-free area.

“Today’s event is a historical one because it signifies our victorious quest against poverty and the plight of the people caused by rebel forces. This also puts an end to our 45 years of battle against insurgency,” Bautista said.

Meanwhile, Pineda acknowledged the efforts and hard work of all local chief executives and chiefs of police in all towns and cities in order to attain this status.

She also expressed optimism that this declaration will be a big boost not only in terms of internal peace and security, but also on the quality of life of Kapampangans.

“With this declaration of our province as insurgency-free, we are now confident that we can pull in more investors. Thus, we can generate more revenues and more job opportunities which will in turn help in uplifting the quality of life of our people,” Pineda shared.

Pineda however reminded the public that in order to sustain this status, everyone should work hand-in-hand by doing his role in securing internal peace.

The MOA stated that Pampanga is peaceful and ready for further development.

It has delegated to the PNP the lead role in fighting remnants of insurgents with the support of the military that will remain primarily for stakeholder engagement programs.

The MOA is also a formal demonstration of different local and other government agencies to reinvigorate their role in peace and development in their community.

This is also a way to accept and assert the local government's lead role in orchestrating the efforts of all agencies and stakeholders in the delivery of services designed to address the primary socio-economic issues.

Prior to this, other provinces in Regions 1,2,3 and Cordillera were declared peaceful from 2009 to 2013.

These are La union and Nueva Viscaya in 2009; Apayao, Aurora, Quirino, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan and Kalinga in 2010; Ilocos Norte and Benguet in 2011; Zambales, Abra and Bataan in 2012; and Batanes, Ilocos Sur, Isabela, Cagayan, Ifugao, Bulacan and Mt. Province in 2013.

At present, 43 out of 75 provinces nationwide were already normalized.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=2661389793778