The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has reiterated its commitment to eradicate the long-standing threat of Communist insurgency in Eastern Visayas, long a hotbed of the New People’s Army (NPA).
This, as officials revealed that five areas in Leyte province have yet to attain Stable Internal Peace and Security Condition (SIPSC) status.
Lt. Col. Celeste Frank Sayson, commander of the Philippine Army’s 93rd Infantry Battalion, identified these areas including Tacloban City, Baybay City, and the towns of Carigara, Jaro and Albuera.
Despite this, Sayson expressed confidence that the remaining areas would soon attain the status.
"We have a very bright future for our beloved province, specifically the three provinces, because it is only a matter of time before we declare the entire province of Leyte insurgency-free," he said.
Sayson said the military remains committed to ending the insurgency in the area.
"With God's permission, may they all surrender, or if we encounter them again, we hope they will choose to surrender. We have a strong resolve to end this insurgency so that the whole province will be declared insurgency-free," he added.
The army unit, based in Kananga, Leyte, has operational jurisdiction over Leyte, Biliran and Southern Leyte.
Biliran was declared insurgency-free in September 2024, while Southern Leyte attained SIPSC status in May 2026.
Sayson said there are no longer any monitored members of the New People's Army (NPA) who originated from Leyte.
However, intelligence reports indicate that 12 remaining rebels continue to operate across Leyte Island and Biliran.
SIPSC is a formal security designation granted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to cities, municipalities, or provinces that have met established peace and security benchmarks.
The declaration signifies that insurgent threats have been neutralized, local armed conflict has been reduced to manageable levels, and peace and order have significantly improved.
(With report from PNA)
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