TACLOBAN CITY – The provincial government of Southern Leyte, in partnership with the Philippine Army, formally declared the province insurgency-free on Tuesday following the deaths and surrender of hundreds of leaders, combatants, and supporters of the New People's Army (NPA) in recent years.

Southern Leyte Gov. Damian Mercado said the declaration marks a significant milestone, reflecting the province's long-standing goal of ensuring a safe and secure environment for its residents.

"We will ensure that the province remains peaceful, safe, and orderly, where insurgency and other threats to security have no place. We will remain committed to all peace undertakings. This formal declaration is a manifestation of our commitment to a peaceful and progressive province," Mercado said during ceremonies at the Southern Leyte Provincial Capitol Gymnasium in Maasin City.

Lt. Col. Celeste Frank Sayson, commander of the Philippine Army's 93rd Infantry Battalion, said the declaration signifies that Southern Leyte has achieved a Stable Internal Peace and Security Condition (SIPSC) — the highest security classification under the government's counterinsurgency framework.

"It signifies that the area is considered insurgency-free, where the influence and capabilities of the NPA have been reduced to the point that they no longer pose a threat to public order and safety," Sayson said.

According to the military, communist insurgents first established a presence in Leyte in 1976 through Jun Alcober, an NPA cadre from Cebu. The NPA's Leyte Island Committee formed in 2000, followed by the Southern Leyte Front Committee two years later with support from rebels based in Bohol.

Authorities said the neutralization of key NPA leaders and fighters across Leyte Island led to the dismantling of insurgent fronts in Southern Leyte.

The last recorded armed encounter between government forces and rebels occurred in August 2021, when two NPA leaders and a soldier died in a clash in the upland Barangay Lawgawan in Bontoc, Southern Leyte.

Officials noted that attaining SIPSC status indicates the absence of significant insurgent threats, allowing local governments to shift focus from security operations to development initiatives, including infrastructure and livelihood programs.

The designation is also expected to boost investor confidence and support business expansion, particularly in the agriculture sector.

Southern Leyte comprises 500 barangays across 18 municipalities and Maasin City, its provincial capital. (PNA)