Eastern Samar towns declared 'insurgency-free'

A total of 12 towns and one city in Eastern Samar have been declared insurgency-free, the Army said Friday.

The military declares an area “insurgency-free” if the strength of rebels within its jurisdiction is too small to influence its residents and their activities.

Once an area is declared as such, the lead role of maintaining peace and order would be transferred to local officials from the military.

The military though said that such declaration does not necessarily mean zero presence of insurgents.

Capt. Gene Orense, spokesman of the Army’s 3rd division, said the insurgency-free areas are now ready for development projects and investments.

He said Quinapondan was the latest municipality in Eastern Samar to be declared as "manageable conflict-affected and ready for development.”

The declaration was made by security forces and local officials last Wednesday.

“We cannnot develop our community without maintaining and preserving peace and order and there could be no peace in our municipality without putting development programs in our town,” said Quinapondan mayor Nedito Campo.

The areas in Eastern Samar that have been declared “manageable conflict-affected” were Balangiga, Taft, Maydolong, Balangkayan, Hernani, San Julian, San Policarpo, Sulat and Boronggan City.

Also declared insurgency-free were the towns of Salcedo, Guiuan and Mercedes.