The Palawan province is now declared-free from the influence of communist terrorist groups after the joint Palawan Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict and the Provincial Peace and Order Council unanimously approved the declaration of the province being liberated from the atrocities of insurgents.
Armed Forces of the Philippines' Western Command chief Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos stressed that the relentless efforts of soldiers to push for focused military operations — coupled with strong community support programs and inter-agency collaboration, have resulted in the neutralization of more rebel leaders, massive surrenders of former rebels and supporters, and recovery of firearms, explosives and other war paraphernalia.
"Western Command is thanking not only our gallant and dedicated joint forces but also our partner agencies and the people of the entire province for working so hard to achieve our shared dream of a safe, secure and communist terrorist-free Palawan," Carlos said.
Meanwhile, WesCom's Joint Task Force Peacock commander, Brigadier General Jimmy Larida said that collaborative efforts have protected communities and people from being vulnerable to enemy deception and unlawful activities.
Since the implementation of Executive Order 70 signed by former President Rodrigo Duterte in 2016, the joint council has accounted for a total number of 118 firearms recovered from the communist terror groups.
There have been also 214 former rebels who have benefitted from the provincial government's local social integration program and the national government's enhanced comprehensive local integration program.
"All these efforts have sustained the gains of the whole-of-government efforts leading to the end of insurgency in Palawan," Larida said.
Carlos, on the other hand, lauded the "effectiveness of military operations and civil-military partnerships" in securing the communities from terrorist infiltration and clearing various villages from the enemy's affectation throughout the years.
"As a safe and insurgency-free environment prevails in the whole Province of Palawan, we can all enjoy a more peaceful and progressive home for the locals, and indeed the most desired destination for our visitors worldwide," Carlos said.
