Military declares Leyte free of insurgency

MANILA, Philippines - The military has declared Leyte free of insurgency and has turned over to the provincial government the lead role in maintaining peace and order in the province.

Lt. Col. Niceforo Diaz Jr., spokesman of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division, said military and local officials declared the province insurgency-free and development-ready last Dec. 8.

Maj. Gen. Mario Chan, 8th ID chief, and Leyte Gov. Carlos Petilla signed a joint declaration at the provincial capitol in Tacloban City recently.

The event was witnessed by Brig. Gen. Alejandro Estomo, deputy commander of the Armed Forces’ Central Command, members of the Provincial Peace and Order Council, and other military officers.

“The 8th ID had committed to make the province of Leyte insurgency-free before this year ends, and with the relentless efforts of the local government units, local government agencies, non-government organizations and other stakeholders, Leyte is finally insurgency-free,” Diaz said.

The military declares an area insurgency-free if the communist movement there is already non-existent or is too insignificant to affect the lives of residents.

Diaz said Leyte is the seventh province in the Visayas to be declared insurgency-free after Biliran, Bohol, Cebu, Guimaras, Siquijor and Southern Leyte.  

In another development, an officer of the New People’s Army (NPA) and his escort were arrested by military and police forces in Catanauan, Quezon province last Friday.

Col. Generoso Bolina, spokesman of the Armed Forces’ Southern Luzon Command, said a certain Philip Enteria, 34, platoon leader of a local communist committee, and his aide, Jerson Sambola, 32, were nabbed by members of the 201st Infantry Brigade and the Quezon police in Barangay Matandang Sabang Silangan in Catanauan town.

Seized from the two rebels, who were on extortion activities, were two caliber .45 pistols with fully loaded magazines, two grenades and a motorcycle.– With Michelle Zoleta