The municipality of Palapag in Northern Samar has been declared under a Stable Internal Peace and Security Condition, or SIPSC, following nearly four decades of armed conflict in the area.
Mayor Florence Batula accepted the declaration during a ceremony attended by national, regional, provincial and local officials, military and police commanders, barangay leaders and residents.
“For almost four decades, peace in Palapag was a promise repeatedly pursued, but never fully realized. Today, we finally have an answer,” Batula said.
The mayor credited cooperation among government security forces, local officials, barangay leaders and residents for helping persuade former rebels to abandon the armed struggle.
Six firearms surrendered by former rebels were presented during the ceremony.
Batula said the municipality has also begun seeing increased tourism, development and economic activity, which she attributed to improving security conditions.
She cautioned, however, that the declaration does not mean efforts to maintain peace are over.
“This declaration is not the ending of a chapter. It is the beginning of a more difficult period of sustainment. Our responsibility now shifts from achieving peace to protecting peace,” Batula said.
She urged barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials and community organizations to continue dialogue, address grievances and protect young people from exploitation.
The Army's 8th Infantry Division welcomed the declaration, attributing the development to years of cooperation among troops, police, the local government and residents.
“The declaration of Palapag as stable for peace and security is the result of years of coordinated efforts among our troops, the Philippine National Police, local government unit, and the people of Palapag themselves,” the division said.
The 8ID said its units would remain engaged in Palapag to help maintain security, support the reintegration of former rebels and assist development efforts in communities previously affected by conflict.
The military also renewed its call for remaining members of communist armed groups to surrender and avail themselves of government reintegration programs.
