21 Eastern Visayas towns attain rebel-free status

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 26, 2024): 21 Eastern Visayas towns attain rebel-free status (By Sarwell Meniano)

PEACE. Local officials release white doves during the declaration of rebel-free status of Macrohon, Southern Leyte, on June 24, 2024. At least 21 towns in Eastern Visayas have been declared completely free from threats from the New People’s Army (NPA) and have attained Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS) status, the Philippine Army reported on Wednesday (June 26, 2024). (Photo courtesy of Philippine Army)

TACLOBAN CITY – A total of 21 towns in Eastern Visayas have been declared completely free from threats from the New People’s Army (NPA) and have attained Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS) status, the Philippine Army reported on Wednesday.

The municipalities conferred the SIPS status from January to June this year included Pagsanghan, Tarangnan, San Sebastian, Sta. Margarita, and Sto. Niño in Samar province; Allen, San Jose, Rosario, Capul, and Biri in Northern Samar; Bontoc and Macrohon in Southern Leyte; Palompon, Isabel, Matag-ob, Merida, and Hilongos in Leyte; and Giporlos, Mercedes, San Julian, and Taft in Eastern Samar.

The Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division said in a statement Wednesday that these municipalities earned SIPS status due to the successful conduct of local peace engagement down to the community level and the effective multi-sectoral commitment to peace and security.

Brig. Gen. Lenart Lelina, commander of the 801st Infantry Brigade, said that a municipality is recognized with SIPS status only when no single resident is a member of the communist terrorist group.

"Municipalities and provinces free from insurgency are declared to have stable internal peace and security. Hopefully, the entire province of Eastern Samar will achieve this status when all its municipalities are declared insurgency-free," Lelina said.

In the SIPS declaration in Leyte province on Monday, 802nd Infantry Brigade commander Brig. Gen. Noel Vestuir emphasized that the declaration of SIPS status represents a victory of freedom from the deceptive ideas of the New People's Army (NPA).

“The SIPS declaration is a testament to collective efforts and commitment to peace, unity, and progress of stakeholders. It highlights the importance of embracing peace and working together to achieve reconciliation and sustained development,” Vestuir said.

Alongside every SIPS declaration is the ceremonial signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) among the municipal task force to end local communist armed conflict and other peace partners.

This MOU aims to strengthen the support of local governments in maintaining peace and order, conducting activities to enhance law enforcement operations, and preventing the resurgence of the NPA.

Major Gen. Camilo Ligayo, commander of the 8th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, reiterated his call to the people of Eastern Visayas that maintaining a stable peace and security environment cannot be achieved without community support.

"We aim to eradicate the decades-long insurgency problem in the region completely. Therefore, I urge the remaining NPA members to surrender to the government and take advantage of its programs to start a new life. The government is very willing to help you all," Ligayo added.

The military said several areas in the region have long been peaceful; hence, the declaration of the SIPS condition is just a formal and official manifestation of the commitment of local leaders and people to sustain the peace and never allow any threat groups to gain a foothold in their communities.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1227692