Nueva Ecija declared stable after decades of insurgency

BONGABON, Nueva Ecija — The province of Nueva Ecija has achieved Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS) status, military officials announced Friday,31 October, marking a turnaround for an area once plagued by communist insurgency after decades of clashes between government forces and rebel groups.

The declaration, formalized during the 29 October ceremonial signing of a memorandum of understanding held at the Sierra Madre Suite in Palayan City and led by the Philippine Army’s 703rd Infantry Brigade, recognizes Nueva Ecija as “generally free” from threats posed by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).

“This milestone reflects the collective resolve of Novo Ecijanos to reclaim peace and security,” said Brig. Gen. Eugenio Julio C. Osias IV, commander of the 703rd Infantry Brigade. “Our soldiers, local governments, and communities have woven trust into every dialogue and project—this is the fabric of lasting peace.”

Nueva Ecija’s SIPS status was approved on 20 June 2025 through Provincial Peace and Order Council Resolution No. 01, series of 2025, which cited a 92 percent drop in rebel-related incidents since 2022, based on military field reports. Acting Governor Gil Raymond Umali, however, cautioned against complacency: “Declaring peace is easy. Keeping it requires everyone’s eyes and hearts to stay open.”

Central to the effort was the military’s Community Support Program, which embedded soldiers in conflict-prone villages to facilitate dialogue and infrastructure projects. The initiative complemented livelihood programs led by local governments, including training for former rebels in crop diversification and livestock breeding.

The province also reported an 18 percent increase in palay production in 2024, which provincial agriculture data attributes to farmers reclaiming over 1,200 hectares of land once abandoned due to rebel extortion. “Fields once deemed no-go zones now yield harvests feeding families and markets,” Umali said, underscoring the agricultural revival.

During the ceremony, officials read the memorandum and unveiled a symbolic SIPS marker to commemorate the province’s transition to stability. Brig. Gen. Osias later highlighted Barangay San Isidro—a former NPA-infiltrated sitio now transformed into a communal corn nursery managed by ex-rebels—as “a testament to what dialogue, not bullets, can cultivate.” He noted that 34 former combatants now tend the land alongside soldiers and local farmers.

Barangay assembly records and military community engagement reports revealed a gradual shift in Carranglan residents’ perceptions of soldiers—from symbols of fear to partners in development. Many acknowledged the troops’ role in rebuilding clinics and farm infrastructure, alongside regular dialogues that softened decades of distrust. Residents now cite soldiers’ presence at communal meals and fiestas as markers of fragile but growing trust.

While insurgent activity has dwindled, authorities acknowledged emerging issues like cattle rustling and clan disputes. Osias pledged tighter coordination with police to address crime “without militarization.”

Danilo C. Rillera, DILG Nueva Ecija Cluster Team Leader, lauded the SIPS framework’s collaborative efforts, calling it a “blueprint for inclusive governance” in the province.