GUMACA, Quezon -- This town became the second to be declared insurgency-free in Quezon following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between local government units, Quezon Police Provincial Office, stakeholders, and the Philippine Army.

The MOU signing making Gumaca insurgency-free was held on Wednesday, Jan. 25, in this town.

The MOU signing which is part of the declaration of Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS) became inevitable as there were no incidents of harassment or any terrorist attack in Gumaca, which thus became the second town in this province to be declared insurgency-free after Macalelon town.

All of the 59 barangays have declared the New People's Army (NPA) as persona non grata and the Office of the Mayor headed by Webster Letargo issued Executive Order No. WDL-01-03-2023 which establishes a mechanism for the promotion of localized peace engagement within the municipality of Gumaca, Quezon.

Letargo acknowledged not only the gallantry and dedication of the security forces but also the partner agencies and the people of the entire municipality of Gumaca for working so hard to achieve a dream safe, secured and communist-free Gumaca.

Quezon police director Col. Ledon Monte lauded the efforts of the units under QPPO in securing the communities from terrorist infiltration and clearing them from the enemy’s affectation throughout the years.

With a safe and insurgency-free environment now prevailing in Gumaca, Monte said the public will now enjoy a more peaceful and progressive home for the locals, and the place would indeed be the most desired destination for investors and foreign tourists.

Life will now be more beautiful in Quezon which will continue to eliminate the menace in the community that hinders the peace and progress of the province, and that the road to Insurgency-Free Province, Monte said, is ‘along the way.’