AGLIPAY (FB)
TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan – The Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) has officially declared the Cagayan Valley region insurgency-free and placed it under a State of Stable Internal Peace and Security (SSIPS), marking a major milestone in the government’s peace and security campaign in Northern Luzon.
The declaration was made during the RPOC’s second quarter meeting on Thursday, June 4, at the Cagayan Provincial Capitol here.
The meeting was led by Regional Development Council (RDC) Chairperson and Cagayan Gov. Edgar Aglipay and attended by the Philippine Army, Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Region 2, and other government agencies and security sector partners.
A symbolic marker was unveiled and official documents were signed to formalize the declaration recognizing the region’s successful efforts in addressing insurgency and maintaining peace and order following the dismantling of the Komiteng Rehiyon Cagayan Valley of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG), which had operated in the region for decades.
Aglipay commended the unwavering commitment and dedication of government agencies, local government units, and security forces in carrying out their mandates that ultimately led to the region being declared free from insurgency threats.
He stressed that the declaration should not be viewed as the end of the government’s peace efforts but as a continuing commitment to sustain peace, security, and development throughout the region.
Police Regional Office-2 Director Police Brig. Gen. Mariano Rodriguez, 5th Infantry Division commander Major Gen. Gulliver Señires, and Northern Luzon Command chief Lt. Gen. Aristotle Gonzalez reaffirmed their commitment to continue close coordination and collaboration to preserve peace and ensure that insurgency will no longer regain a foothold in the region.