INQUIRER FILES
TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines 鈥� Maasin, the capital of Southern Leyte, was declared insurgency-free on Friday, Nov. 29.
Maasin was the first city under the jurisdiction of the 802nd Infantry Brigade to achieve this status, ahead of other cities like Ormoc, Baybay and Tacloban.
At least 45 municipalities in Leyte, Biliran, Southern Leyte and parts of Samar and Eastern Samar under the brigade鈥檚 coverage were also earlier declared insurgency-free.
This status is conferred upon local governments that meet specific criteria, including the absence of violence initiated by the New People鈥檚 Army (NPA) for at least one year and the establishment of stable peace and order.
The declaration was announced in a ceremony attended by military officials and local leaders led by Mayor Nacional Mercado, chair of the City Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, and Southern Leyte 1st district Representative Luz Mercado.
Also present were military and police officials, including Col. Rico Amaro, deputy brigade commander of the 802nd Infantry Brigade; Lt. Col. Edgar Gabia, commanding officer of the 14th Infantry Battalion; and Col. Hector Enage, provincial director of the Philippine National Police.