More towns have been declared rebel-free thus earning them the status of Stable Internal Peace and Security Condition. First are three towns in Leyte.
 |
| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1226862 |
Three more towns in Leyte province have been declared completely free from threats from the New People’s Army (NPA) under the state of Stable Internal Peace and Security Condition (SIPSC).
Brig. Gen. Noel Vestuir, commander of the Philippine Army’s 802nd Infantry Brigade, said in a phone interview Thursday that the towns of Hilongos, Isabel, and Merida formally earned the status on June 12.
Isabel and Merida were cleared of the communist group’s influence in 2016, followed by Hilongos in 2019, according to Vestuir. Since then, these municipalities have achieved and sustained a conflict-manageable status.
"With the declaration of Hilongos, Isabel, and Merida as Stable Internal Peace and Security Conditions (SIPSC), we send a strong message of unity in our quest to end local communist armed conflict and maintain a peaceful and secure environment for the peace-loving people of these towns," Vestuir said.
He urged the local leaders, particularly village officials, to continue and sustain their peace efforts.
"My appeal to the community is to be inhospitable to the remnants of the Communist Party of the Philippines - NPA and its allies and never again allow them to gain foothold in villages," Vestuir added.
The SIPSC declaration's highlights include the signing of memoranda of agreement and pledges of commitment, as well as the release of white doves symbolizing peace and new beginnings.
Why all the theatricality with the doves? What is the point of that if it is not pure propaganda? The AFP is doing all they can to convince the reaming rebels to surrender even going so far as to visit their families.
In Eastern Samar 2 towns have also been declared free of NPA influence.
 |
| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1226757 |
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.
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.
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.
Brig. Gen. Noel Vestuir, commander of the Philippine Army’s 802nd Infantry Brigade, 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 said.
A town earns SIPC status if there's 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.
Vestuir said these municipalities were cleared of communist terrorist group influence in 2022 and have since achieved conflict-manageable status.
The Philippine Army, 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 of them surrendered through the Friends Rescued Engagement through Their Families (FReE Families) initiative.
But that does not mean Samar is out of the woods yet. Just recently troops were sent to Samar to reinforce the 8th Infantry Division to root out the remaining rebels. Shortly after a solider was killed in a shoot out with the NPA in Samar.
 |
| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1950162/soldier-killed-in-shootout-with-alleged-npa-members-in-samar-town |
A soldier was killed in what authorities said was a shootout with alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in San Jose de Buan town, Samar over the weekend.
The alleged encounter happened at about 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 9.
Corporal Marvin Calvintos was hit in his abdomen during the two-minute gunfight.
The soldiers were in the area as part of their security patrol.
San Jose de Buan is one of the towns in Samar where there are still sightings of the NPA.
The 8th Infantry Division, which is based in Catbalogan City, Samar, lauded Calvintos for the “ultimate sacrifice” amid the battle against the communist rebels.
The NPA is alive and well in Samar.
Finally, a town in Laguna has also been declared insurgency-free.
 |
| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1226992 |
Laguna province’s Pangil town has been officially declared insurgency-free, finally earning it the coveted Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS) status.
Brig. Gen. Cerilo Balaoro Jr, commander of the 202nd Infantry Brigade, said in a message to reporters on Friday that Pangil is the sixth local government unit (LGU) in the province to attain SIPS status.
Balaoro commended Pangil's leadership and the active involvement of its community in various peace-building endeavors.
He emphasized the importance of safeguarding the youth from recruitment by communist terrorist group members, urging parents and guardians to play a proactive role in ensuring a peaceful and prosperous future for their children.
“The declaration of Pangil as an insurgency-free town represents a significant stride towards enduring peace in the region, underscoring the efficacy of the integrated approach to security and development, which authorities aim to replicate in other areas,” Balaoro remarked.
Expressing gratitude to all stakeholders, Mayor Gerald Aritao celebrated the SIPS status declaration as a testament to the collective unity, resilience and commitment of Pangil residents towards fostering a secure and harmonious environment.
Balaoro disclosed that other cities and municipalities in Laguna have scheduled their SIPS declarations before the end of the third quarter, with the aim of positioning Laguna as the first SIPS province by the close of the year.
More Laguna towns are scheduled to be declared insurgency-free later this year with the goal of Laguna being the first SIPS province by years end. That is a very laudable goal.
Meanwhile in other regions the fight against the NPA continues.
In South Kudarat.
 |
| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1226569 |
The military here announced a successful operation against communist rebels in an upland town in Sultan Kudarat province over the weekend, which left one rebel dead.
Maj. Gen. Alex Rillera, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said soldiers under the 7th Infantry Battalion (IB), led by Lt. Col. Tristan Rey Vallescas, clashed with New People’s Army (NPA) rebels at 4:30 a.m. on Sunday in Barangay Kiadsam, Sen. Ninoy Aquino town.
“No casualty was reported on the government side,” Rillera said.
He said 7IB troopers launched the operation after civilians complained of "massive extortion" activities by the NPA, led by NPA subleader Eusebio Cranzo.
Vallescas said Cranzo and his followers fled to Sitio Kiluding in Kiadsan village, leaving behind their slain comrade.
Recovered from the possession of the slain NPA rebel was a Garand rifle with ammunition.
Following the operation, Brig. Gen. Michael Santos, the Army’s 603rd Infantry Brigade commander, has ordered all units under his jurisdiction to intensify the operation against communist rebels who have been mulcting farmers during harvest season.
In Masbate.
 |
| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1226693 |
A member of the New People's Army (NPA) was killed while high-powered firearms were seized in a clash in Barangay Tubog, Pio V. Corpuz, Masbate province on Tuesday, the 9th Infantry Division (9ID) said.
In a report, Maj. Frank Roldan, 9ID Public Affairs Office chief, said the encounter ensued after troops responded to the reports of residents about the presence of armed men in their village.
Based on the initial report, the government troops encountered more than 12 NPA members led by Bobby Cañete, also known as Den-den/Bugas, of the Komiteng Larangang Guerilla South, Sub-Regional Committee 4.
Roldan said no casualties were reported on the side of the government troops, while an unidentified rebel was killed during the 20-minute firefight.
"We are still waiting for the identification of the NPA member since our troops are still at the encounter site," he said in a message.
After the insurgents withdrew, soldiers recovered several firearms, including an M14, M16, and M653 rifles at the clash site.
And in Antique.
 |
| https://mb.com.ph/2024/6/13/npa-ammo-seized-in-antique |
Troops seized New People’s Army (NPA) ammunition following two clashes in Antique province this week.
The 12th Infantry Battalion (IB) recovered 28 bullets for M16, 15 bullets for M14, 10 bullets for AK47, and 10 shells for M16 rifle in Valderrama town.
Soldiers encountered more or less 20 NPA rebels in Barangay Culyat on June 10, resulting in a five-minute firefight until the communist guerillas withdrew north and northwest.
Pursuing troops later on engaged the fleeing NPA in a 15-minute gun battle. The rebels withdrew again.
The NPA belongs to the regional headquarters of the Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay.
The 3rd Infantry Division (ID) lauded the 12th IB for their efforts as well as residents for informing them of the presence of the NPA.
“Let us continue the culture of cooperation and collaboration to prevent the remaining communist terrorists from conducting any criminal activities in our communities,” said 3rd ID commander Major Gen. Marion Sison in a statement.
Along with Laguna being scheduled to be declared under a state of Stable Internal Peace and Security Condition perhaps other towns and regions will also achieve that status. Either way the fight against the remaining rebels goes on.
No comments:
Post a Comment