TACLOBAN CITY – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. expressed optimism on Monday, May 20, that insurgency in Eastern Visayas will soon come to an end under his administration.
"I have seen the progress report. It’s getting better and better. Hindi na gaano, hindi na masyadong magulo kagaya ng dati at meron pa ring mga encounter pero hindi na kasi – large numbers at saka ‘yung kanilang organization ay nababaklas-baklas na natin," he said during a visit here to lead the awarding of Certificate of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) to Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) in Eastern Visayas at the Tacloban City Convention Center.
Major Gen. Camilo Ligayo of the 8th Infantry Division reported that all barangays in Northern Samar province are now free from New People’s Army influence, marking a milestone in the province known as the last stronghold of insurgency in the country.
In Leyte province, Brig. Gen. Noel Vestuir, 802nd Infantry Division commander, disclosed that only a few areas remain affected by insurgency as a result of the recent declarations of Stable Internal Peace and Security condition in the municipalities of Palompon and Matag-ob.
Marcos, who issued a directive to address local communist armed conflict during a previous visit to the province last July, continues to lead initiatives aimed at promoting peace and security in the region.
The President expressed confidence in the ongoing efforts and that the current advancements are sufficient to achieve their goals within the set timeline.