Pampanga declared 'insurgency-free'

BACOLOR, Pampanga – Military and local officials have declared this province insurgency-free, effectively claiming victory against communist rebellion in the entire northern and central Luzon.

A memorandum of agreement between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the local government was signed Wednesday indicating that the province is now “peaceful and ready for further development.”

The agreement also transferred the lead role of maintaining internal security to the local executives from the military.

Among the officials who witnessed the signing were Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda, Armed Forces chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista, Northern Luzon Command chief Lt. Gen. Gregorio Catapang and 7th Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Hernando Iriberri.

Bautista said Pampanga, the birthplace of insurgency in the Philippines, is the 43rd province to be declared insurgency-free. There are 32 provinces that are still grappling with the communist rebellion based on latest military data.

Pampanga, the military claimed, is the last of the 22 provinces under the AFP Northern Luzon Command to be declared free from insurgency.

Bautista said the province is an important area since it is near the capital and serves as the gateway to the central and northern Luzon.

“Insurgency started here in the late 60s or early 70s. Today, we have proven that we can end the problem where it started,” he said, referring to the Hukbong Bayan Laban sa mga Hapon, the precursor of the New People’s Army (NPA).

Pineda said the gains against insurgency were made possible by the cooperation between security forces and the local government.

For his part, Brig. Gen. Henry Sabarre, chief of the Army’s 703rd brigade, said they would implement development programs to prevent the resurgence of rebellion in the province.

He said the military would continue supporting the peace and order efforts in the province.

The strength of the communist rebellion in the country has been estimated at around 4,000. – Alexis Romero