At least seven towns in Leyte were officially declared completely free from threats of the New People’s Army (NPA) on Friday, in a ceremony attended by officials of local governments and the Philippine Army here.

Palo Mayor Remedios Petilla, president of the League of Municipalities – Leyte chapter, said all the towns in the first congressional district of the province have been focused on the security of communities, hence, the declaration of a Stable Internal Peace and Security Condition (SIPSC).

“We are proud of this achievement, and we are looking forward to sustaining peace in our villages. We hope that all towns in Leyte will be declared as stable and secure soon,” she said during the event.

Declared as new insurgency-free areas are the towns of Alangalang, Palo, Babatngon, San Miguel, Sta. Fe, Tanauan, and Tolosa.

“The declaration of SIPSC in the 1st District of Leyte will raise the confidence of investors since Leyte was perceived in the past as influenced by NPA. The peaceful status is a collective effort of their local leaders to maintain peace in the area that the people have been enjoying for years,” said Brig. Gen. Noel Vestuir, commander of the Philippine Army’s 802nd Infantry Brigade.

The military said several areas in the region have long been peaceful, thus, the declaration of the SIPS status is a formal and official manifestation of the commitment of local leaders and people to sustain the peace and never allow any threat group to gain a foothold in their communities.

Officials led a ceremony to highlight the declarations, and among the activities were the signing of memoranda of agreements and pledges of commitment, as well as the simultaneous release of white doves, symbolizing peace and new beginnings.

Currently, 17 towns and a city in Leyte province have SIPSC status.

These include the towns of Hilongos, Isabel, Inopacan, Burauen, Palompon, Matag-ob, Bato, Merida, Matalom, Hindang, and Baybay City.

Vestuir lauded the collaborative efforts of the members of the Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict and the support of the community that led to attaining a significant milestone in terms of peace and security. (PNA)