The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) has declared Ilocos as the first region in the country to achieve stable internal peace and security.
This was announced by the NTF-ELCAC through Resolution No. 1, Series of 2022, by the Joint Regional Development Council 1 (RDC), Regional Peace and Order Council 1 (RPOC), and the Regional Task Force (RTF-ELCAC).
Among the key indicators for the declaration was the absence of violent incidents caused by communist terror groups (CTGs), the absence of armed groups, and the lack of support to CGTs from the community in the region.
National Security Adviser Sec. Hermogenes C. Esperon Jr. confirmed the declaration, saying that “Ilocos Region is the first to be declared with the status of stable internal peace and security.” “This is a big achievement for the Ilocos Region, in terms of development. More investors are coming in because they are already confident of the peace and security of the place," Esperon said.
Brig. Gen. Krishnamurti Mortela, commander of Joint Task Group Defender, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) unit in charge of combating terrorism in the Ilocos region, said that the resolution was a result of several successful endeavors by the AFP in the region with the support of the entire region’s local government unit.
The AFP neutralized 36 high-value personalities and recorded 984 NPA forces who surrendered.
Meanwhile, 152 municipalities and 3,564 baranggays declared communist insurgents as persona non grata, denying them safe haven in the region.
“Our hard work, focus, and relentless efforts to accomplish our targets and mandate yielded zero violence incidents for more than a year now since January 2021, “said Mortela.
Ilocos Sur Governor Ryan Singson gave assurance that his administration is doing its best in reaching out and implementing various programs and projects in response to the priority needs of his constituents.
Singson expressed his gratitude to everyone for making the declaration possible. (Robbie Pangilinan)