First there were two, now there are five, and more to come.
Three more towns in the province of Leyte recently receive tags as rebel-free communities.
Palompon and Matag-ob were the first towns to be declared last May 17, this was with the cooperation of the government troops, the local leaders and members of the community themselves. Such feat can only be achieved with the common interest of all parties concerned.
The latest towns —Hilongos, Isabel and Merida — officially earned their status as rebel-free just last June 12. This was confirmed by Brig. Gen. Noel Vestuir, commander of the Philippine Army’s 802nd Infantry Brigade in the region.
Conflict-Manageable Status
Back in 2016, Isabel and Merida were cleared from the alleged influence of the communist groups, while Hilongos was cleared in 2019. Since then, the communities have managed to remain at 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.
If the ripple effect started by these communities continue, it is safe to speculate that more towns will soon be declared and be officially free from the grasp of the terrorists that also hinders the potential growth of the communities.
"My appeal to the community is to be inhospitable to the remnants of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New Peoples Army and its allies and never again allow them to gain foothold in villages," Vestuir added.
Photo Courtesy: PNA
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