2 Eastern Samar towns declared completely free from NPA threats

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 12, 2024): 2 Eastern Samar towns declared completely free from NPA threats (By Sarwell Meniano)

PEACEFUL. Officials in San Julian, Eastern release white pigeons as a sign of peace during a ceremony on Tuesday (June 11, 2024). The towns of Sulat and San Julian in Eastern Samar were declared completely free from the influence of the New People's Army, the second and third municipalities in the province to attain such status. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Army)

TACLOBAN CITY – The towns of Sulat and San Julian in Eastern Samar on Tuesday were declared completely free from the influence of the New People's Army (NPA), the second and third municipalities in the province to attain such status.

With no sightings of armed rebels for several years now, the towns have achieved insurgency-free status, and officially with stable internal peace and security conditions (SIPC), the military said in a statement on Wednesday quoting Brig. Gen. Noel Vestuir, commander of the Philippine Army’s 802nd Infantry Brigade.

Events were conducted to highlight the declarations which included the signing of memoranda of agreements and pledges of commitment, along with the simultaneous release of white doves, symbolizing peace and new beginnings.

The military and local government held the declaration in Sulat in the morning, while San Julian’s event was in the afternoon.

Sulat Mayor Javier Zacate and San Julian Mayor Dennis Estaron thanked all the stakeholders who contributed to achieving SIPSC in their municipalities.

They emphasized that this milestone paves the way for further progress and a better quality of life for residents.

The first town in Eastern Samar that attained the SIPC conditions was Giporlos through a formal declaration on April 12.

Vestuir said they are stepping up their efforts to completely wipe out insurgencies in the southern part of Eastern Samar province under their operational area.

"With our declaration of Sulat and San Julian as SIPC, we have delivered a strong message that we are united in our quest to end the local communist armed conflict and in maintaining a peaceful and secure environment for the peace-loving people of Sulat and San Julian," Vestuir added in the statement.

A town earns SIPC status if there has been no NPA activity in the area in the past two years. Another consideration is that no resident is identified as an active armed rebel, the 802nd Infantry Brigade commander told the Philippine News Agency in a text message.

Vestuir said these municipalities were cleared of communist terrorist group influence in 2022 and have since achieved conflict-manageable status.

The Philippine Army, the Philippine National Police, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government reaffirmed their strong support and commitment to sustaining stable peace and security in Sulat and San Julian.

Vestuir said the NPA platoon running in the mountains of Eastern Samar and Samar provinces has significantly weakened this year.

From 47 members with 43 firearms in the third quarter of 2023, Apoy Platoon's strength dropped to just 16 members with 25 members as of the second week of June 2024.

Most surrendered through the Friends Rescued Engagement through Their Families (FReE Families) initiative.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1226757