2 more Eastern Samar towns cleared from NPA threats

TWO MORE  towns in Eastern Samar have been formally declared completely free from the threats of the New People's Army (NPA), the Philippine Army said on Wednesday.

In a statement on Wednesday, Brig. Gen. Noel Vestuir, commander of the Philippine Army’s 802nd Infantry Brigade, said the declaration led by the town mayors of Hernani and Maydolong marked a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to maintain peace and stability.

“With no sightings of armed rebels for several years now, these towns have achieved insurgency-free status and, officially, stable internal peace and security conditions (SIPS),” Vestuir said.

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

Ceremonies were held on July 23 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.

In attendance were Hernani Mayor Amado Candido, Maydolong Mayor Godofredo Garado, police officials, Department of the Interior and Local Government representatives, and members of the provincial and municipal task forces to end local communist armed conflict.

Earlier this year, officials held the same declaration in the towns of Giporlos, Mercedes, San Julian, Sulat, and Taft in Eastern Samar.

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

The Army official disclosed that 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 firearms as of the second week of June 2024.

Most have surrendered under the Friends Rescued Engagement through their Families initiative.

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. ( Sarwell Meniano)