Marcos confident Northern Samar insurgency-free by yearend

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has expressed optimism that Northern Samar will be declared insurgency-free by the end of the year.

“I just received the briefing on the success rate of dismantling (communist) fronts and weakening of other fronts. I was also given a very encouraging deadline that we can say that we will have dismantled all of the CTG fronts by the end of the year, and that is the result of your good work,” Marcos said, referring to communist terrorist groups in his speech before the Army’s 803rd Infantry Brigade (IB) at Camp Juan Ponce Sumuroy in Catarman town on Friday.

“From the progress being made in Northern Samar, we are looking forward to declaring the province clear of CTGs by the end of the year,” he said.

Marcos said clearing the province of insurgency would be a “big big blow” to communist rebels because “they have always felt that Northern Samar is a place that they feel safe in.”

“The situation here continues to improve and I am very, very impatient to come back here and to be with you when we declare your area of operation clear of any CTG formation, any CTG group,” the President said.

Don't let guard down

Marcos urged government troopers to continue their anti-insurgency efforts.

“Do not let your guard down. Continue to do what you have been doing... It has been successful, it has been effective and we can see that from the weakening of the enemy forces,” he said. “We have seen… the increase in firearms that have been neutralized and the personalities that have been neutralized. Let us continue that trend.”

The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said the 803rd IB has been instrumental in diminshing the strength of communist rebels in Eastern Visayas.

The PCO said more than 6,200 rebels and their sympathizers have surrendered while two guerrilla fronts have been dismantled in Northern Samar.

Marcos called on the military unit to bring communist insurgents back into the fold of the law.

He gave assurance that rebels who would surrender will receive “full support and assistance” from the government.

The President reiterated his promise to provide the military with all the tools, equipment and training to conduct internal security operations as well as counter possible external threats.

During his visit, Marcos joined the troops in a boodle fight.