2 more Quezon towns now insurgency-free

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines — Twelve of the 39 towns in Quezon province are now free of communist rebels.

Sampaloc and San Andres towns were added to the list on Monday and yesterday, respectively, after no incident of harassment, terrorist attacks and presence of communist rebels were reported in the past several years, according to Col. Ledon Monte, Quezon police director.

Local government units, the police, military and Department of the Interior and Local Government and other stakeholders signed a memorandum of understanding declaring stable internal peace and security in the two towns.

Monte said more towns in Quezon are expected to be declared free of communist rebels.

Macalelon, Unisan, Gumaca, Perez, Quezon, Alabat, San Narciso, General Nakar, Infanta and Real had earlier been declared insurgency-free.