ORMOC CITY — With no sighting of communist New People’s Army for the last two years, the Philippine Army has declared Baybay City as insurgency-free.

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

The declaration ceremony was attended by key municipal and barangay officials headed by Mayor Jose Carlos Cari, who is the chairman of City Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict of Baybay City.

Also present to witness the declaration were Brigadier General Noel Vestuir, commander of the 80BDe, Lieutenant Colonel Edgar Gabia, Commanding Officer of the 14th Infantry (Avenger) Battalion, and Police Colonel Dioniso dela Cruz Apaz Jr, director of the Leyte Police Provincial Office.

The SIPSC declaration was highlighted by the signing of memorandum of understanding and Pledge of Commitment, as well as the release of white doves which symbolizes 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.