3 Towns in Polillo Group of Island achieve insurgency-free status
By Cy Quilo
Cavinti , LAGUNA – THE municipalities of Panukulan, Polillo and Burdeos all of Quezon province were declared to have achieved Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS) following the Ceremonial Signing of Memoranda of Understanding on March 27 and 28, 2023.
The said municipalities were given the SIPS status after successfully meeting the criteria established under the phases of normalization per Revised Joint Implementing Rules and Regulations to Executive Order 546 Series of 2006, specifically the absence of recorded NPA violent activities for at least one year.
Town chiefs expressed their gratitude to the different stakeholders and the citizenry for working hand in hand to achieve their shared dream of having a safe, secured and insurgency free environment which are necessary for a town to prosper and progress.
They also thanked the government forces for continued security and law enforcement operations towards the attainment of lasting peace and prosperity.
Brigadier General Cerilo C Balaoro Jr., Commander, 202nd Infantry Brigade, praised the Local Government of the newly declared insurgency-free municipalities for institutionalizing the Whole-of-Nation approach in attaining this milestone in the normalization process. “This declaration is our serious and sincere desire to finally attain national unity by ending the local communist armed conflict”.
With the declaration of Stable Internal Peace and Security status, the Local Chief Executives are now leading the charge in maintaining peace and security while pursuing development initiatives for the good of their constituents.
The program also involves the redeclaration of the CPP-NPA-NDF as Persona Non Grata in the three municipalities as well as the signing of the Pledge of Commitment of all stakeholders particularly the local officials from the municipal level, including the different Barangay Chairmen and SK Presidents.
The two remaining municipalities in Polillo Group of Island, Patnanungan and Jomalig are currently preparing the necessary requirements for the declaration of insurgency free municipalities.
It can be recalled that Infanta and General Nakar were declared SIPS last February 27, 2023, while Real was declared SIPS last March 10, 2023.
