Government declares Biliran province insurgency-free

September 11, 2024

All the eight municipalities composed of 132 barangays of Biliran province have been declared free from insurgency-related terror activities by the New People’s Army (NPA), the waning armed component of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr., Executive Director of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), said the milestone declaration was made Wednesday (Sept. 11, 2024) at the Fragoch Ballroom Hall in Naval, Biliran, Leyte.

Torres, who graced the event, said this significant milestone means Biliran is now in a stable internal peace and security (SIPS) environment, which achievement signifies a significant step towards lasting peace and development in the province.

“The province's successful transition to a peaceful and secure environment is attributed to the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies, local government units, and community stakeholders,” he said.

The event was hosted by local government and military officials, including Governor Gerard Roger Espina, Mayor Grace Casil, and Army’s 8th Infantry Division chief Major General Camilo Ligayo.

“Sa ilalim ng pamumuno ng ating Chairman, Pangulong Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr., at ng ating Vice Chairman, Eduardo M. Año, taos-puso ang aming pagpapasalamat sa pagkakataong masaksihan ang isang napakahalagang tagumpay na ito para sa kapayapaan ng probinsya ng Biliran,” Torres said in his speech.

He underscored the government’s “whole-of-nation/whole-of-government” approach with the active participation of the private sector and civil society organizations (CSOs) as potent catalysts in defeating the politico-military component of the CPP-NPA.

“Ang tagumpay natin ay isang patunay ng walang sawang pagsisikap at dedikasyon para sa kapayapaan at kaunlaran ng Biliran. Ang deklarasyon ng Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS) ay hindi lamang isang simbolo ng kapayapaan, kundi isang patunay ng masigasig at nagkakaisang pagsusumikap ng ating mga kasundaluhan, mga ahensya ng gobyerno, at mga pribadong sektor at civil society organizations (CSOs),” the official said.

Torres also commended the crucial role of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and all the national, regional, provincial, municipal, and barangay task forces to end local communist armed conflict in their respective areas.

At present, aside from Biliran, the regions of Ilocos, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Davao, along with 8 cities, and 23 provinces were already insurgency-free.

“Ang (mga) tagumpay na ito ay patunay ng pagsusumikap, dedikasyon, at sama-samang pagkilos ng ating mga lokal na lider, mga law enforcement personnel, at mga komunidad na walang sawang nagsisikap upang pandayin ang isang ligtas at tiwasay na kapaligiran para sa lahat.

Magbubukas ito ng mga pintuan para sa pangmatagalang pagunlad, pagpapalakas ng mga komunidad, at magbibigay daan sa isang lipunang maluwag na makapapamuhay ang lahat na malayo sa pangamba at takot,” Torres said.

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NTF-ELCAC MEDIA BUREAU

Ref: Joel M. Sy Egco

09155506969