A town in the province of Laguna has been declared free from the clutches of the New People’s Army.

PEACE was achieved as the municipality of Cavinti, Laguna has been declared insurgency-free. (Photo via Danny Estacio)
Cavinti was the third town in Laguna declared by the 2nd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army under Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS).
Various government officials led by 202nd Infantry Batallion chief Brig. Gen. Cerilo Balaoro Jr., Cavinti Mayor Arrantlee Arroyo, and representatives from the national, provincial, and municipal governments signed the memorandum of understanding formalizing the SIPS declaration on Tuesday, February 27.
Representatives of each agency also signed the commitment wall as a symbol of their solidarity with the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict 's aspiration to achieve peace and prevent the ideologies of communist terrorist groups in Laguna.
Balaoro said unity is important to achieve peace. He added that the government is doing everything possible, such as the implementation of peace programs like the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), to encourage the conversion of communist rebels to society.
Kalayaan and Santa Maria in Laguna had earlier been declared as SIPS.