Ormoc City — With no sightings of communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in the past two years, the Philippine Army has declared Baybay City insurgency-free.

In a simple ceremony, the 802nd Infantry (Peerless) Brigade declared Baybay City to be in a Stable Internal Peace and Security Condition (SIPSC) on Friday, 7 February 2025.

The declaration ceremony was attended by key municipal and barangay officials, led by Mayor Jose Carlos Cari, who serves as chairman of the City Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (CTF-ELCAC) in Baybay City.

Also present to witness the declaration were Brigadier General Noel Vestuir, commander of the 802Bde, Lieutenant Colonel Edgar Gabia, commanding officer of the 14th Infantry (Avenger) Battalion, and Police Colonel Dionisio Dela Cruz Apaz Jr., director of the Leyte Police Provincial Office.

The SIPSC declaration was marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and a Pledge of Commitment, followed by the release of white doves, symbolizing peace and new beginnings.

“The declaration of Baybay City as a stable internal peace and security condition city signified our hard-earned victory of winning the peace in which some of us offered the ultimate sacrifice to achieve. Achieving SIPSC is just a start of a brighter and progressive City for Baybayanons,” Vestuir said.

Once a hotbed of insurgency in the early 1990s, Baybay City lies near the Leyte Central Highland Range, which includes Mount Mahanagdong, Mount Lobi, and Mount Mahagnao. The presence of a battalion-sized guerrilla front in the mountain range contributed to the area’s history of conflict.

The decline of communist presence began with the establishment of the 802Bde in Ormoc City, which oversees military operations in Leyte, Southern Leyte, and Biliran. The NPA’s structure further collapsed when local government units formed Task Forces to End Local Communist Armed Conflict during the Duterte administration.

Mayor Cari expressed his gratitude to all stakeholders who played a role in achieving SIPSC in Baybay City.

He noted that this milestone paves the way for further progress, improving the quality of life for residents.