Eastern Samar Towns Declared Free of NPA Influence

EASTERN SAMAR—The Philippine Army announced on Wednesday that two additional towns in Eastern Samar, Hernani and Maydolong, have been declared free from the threats posed by the New People’s Army (NPA).

According to Philippines News Agency, commander of the Philippine Army’s 802nd Infantry Brigade, this declaration is a significant step in the ongoing efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region. He noted that there had been no sightings of armed rebels in these towns for several years, leading to their official recognition as having stable internal peace and security conditions (SIPS). This status is achieved when a town has no NPA activity for at least two years and no residents identified as active armed rebels.

The declarations were marked by ceremonies on July 23, attended by local mayors, police officials, and representatives from the Department of the Interior and Local Government, along with members of the provincial and municipal task forces to end local communist armed conflict. The event included signing memoranda of agreements and pledges of commitment, as well as the release of white doves symbolizing peace.

Earlier this year, similar declarations were made in the towns of Giporlos, Mercedes, San Julian, Sulat, and Taft in Eastern Samar. Vestuir revealed that a platoon of the NPA operating in the mountains of Eastern Samar and neighboring Samar provinces has significantly weakened, with a notable decrease in membership and armament from the previous year.