59 Bicol areas, entire Catanduanes declared insurgency-free – Army

LEGAZPI CITY — A total of 57 municipalities in the Bicol region, two cities, and the island province of Catanduanes have been placed under the government’s Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS) status after meeting the military’s criteria for areas considered free from insurgency.

Maj. Frank Roldan, chief of the Public Affairs Office of the Army’s 9th Infantry Division (9ID), told the Inquirer in a Viber message on Thursday (July 2) that the areas include Tabaco City in Albay, Sorsogon City, and all 11 municipalities of Catanduanes.

READ: Calabarzon declared insurgency-free on Independence Day

Article continues after this advertisement

Roldan also said government forces neutralized 66 members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in the Bicol Region from January to July this year.

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

“Four rebels were killed in encounters, one was captured, two were arrested, while 59 surrendered,” he said.

Asked about the requirements for an area to qualify for SIPS status, Roldan said a municipality or province must have a dismantled guerrilla front, no Communist Terrorist Group (CTG)-initiated atrocities for at least one year, no identified KKER (Konsolidado, Kinokonsolida, Ekspansyon at Rekoberi) barangays, and a fully functional Integrated Territorial Defense System (ITDS).

Meanwhile, Col. Angelo Lutera, commander of the Army’s 903rd Infantry Brigade, on Wednesday declared the municipality of Irosin in Sorsogon under SIPS.

Irosin joined the municipalities of Castilla, Casiguran, Gubat, Prieto Diaz, Santa Magdalena, Matnog, and Barcelona, as well as Sorsogon City, which had earlier been declared insurgency-free.

Article continues after this advertisement

Lutera said more municipalities in Sorsogon and Masbate are expected to attain SIPS status as government security operations continue.

“The proclamation symbolizes the successful collaboration of the military, the Philippine National Police, national government agencies, local government units, and the community in attaining peace and order,” Lutera said.

Article continues after this advertisement

He added that the declaration reflects the gains of sustained security programs and strong public support for the government’s peace and development efforts. /jpv

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.