President Marcos Reports Improved Peace in Samar as NPA Influence Wanes

Manila – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced that Samar Island is experiencing increased peace due to the diminished presence of the New People’s Army (NPA). During an ambush interview on Monday, President Marcos referred to a recent progress report on peace and order in the Samar provinces, indicating significant improvements.

According to Philippines News Agency, the situation in Samar has become less chaotic compared to the past, with reduced NPA activities leading to fewer and smaller encounters. He expressed confidence in meeting the government’s timeline for further reducing NPA influence in the area. The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, established in 2018, has reported that approximately 1,000 communities in Eastern Visayas were under NPA influence before its formation, particularly in the three Samar provinces.

Military sources have noted that while there are still occasional sightings of NPA members at the tri-boundaries of the Samar provinces, local support for the rebels has significantly declined. Governor Sharee Ann Tan of Samar province highlighted the weakening insurgency, evidenced by the absence of demands for “revolutionary tax” during the 2022 elections, a first in recent years.

Northern Samar Governor Edwin Ongchuan has called on the national government to construct a circumferential road in the tri-boundary area of Samar to support ongoing anti-insurgency efforts, emphasizing the strategic importance of infrastructure in stabilizing the region. The proposed road would link several key towns across Northern Samar, Samar, and Eastern Samar, facilitating better control and aid distribution.