Eastern Samar 8th ID declares Guiuan insurgency-free town

GUIUAN, EASTERN SAMAR, Philippines — The 8th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army based in Samar has declared this town “insurgent-free and development-ready.”

Guiuan is the fifth town to be given such status in Eastern Samar, after Balangkayan, Maydolong, Taft and Salcedo,

Major Gen. Gerardo Layug, 8th ID commander, said “Communities in these areas had been frequented by the NPA, affecting the government’s development efforts. But these towns have always exercised full responsibility over its internal concerns as a local government unit.”

Guiuan has no significant record of insurgency-related concern for the last 30 years and the Philippine Army has never required the deployment of any territorial unit to this town, said Layug during the declaration rites.

“With this declaration, it is hoped that tourism and other economic activities in Guiuan will move forward,” Layug said, adding that more towns in Eastern Samar may soon be declared insurgent-free as the military have been pushing its operations in the northern part of the province where a minimal number of rebels are operating.

“We are positive that the entire Eastern Samar would eventually be free from insurgency and hopes to attract more investors and businesses,” Layug said.

Mayor Annaliza Gonzales-Kwan thanked the military for declaring her town free from insurgency. “As we embark on our tourism program in Guiuan, peace and order is very important. The declaration of Guiuan also as development-ready town will boost our tourism program. I am hoping all our efforts for the development of this town will be realized.”

The mayor said she has been pushing for the full operation of the Guiuan Airport, considering that the town, the gateway to the southern part of the province, also boasts for its many eco-tourism destinations and historical spots.

Eastern Samar, which has one city and 22 towns, is under the 801st Infantry Brigade and 14th Infantry Battalion based in Jipapad town, with several detachments stationed in remote villages.

“We hope to declare all local government units in Eastern Samar insurgency-free by the end of this year,” Layug said, citing an estimated 200 NPA members were reportedly operating in the hinterlands of the tri-boundaries of the three provinces in Samar island.

“The threat posed by this rebel armed group may soon be downgraded and soon it will be treated as a mere law and order problem. But we will stay until the civilian police is ready to maintain peace and order without military participation,” Layug said.

Southern Leyte and Biliran provinces were declared insurgency-free in 2008. Last year, Leyte was declared as “manageable conflict-affected and development-ready province,” while Samar and Northern Samar provinces remain as rebel hotspots. Layug was confident of declaring Eastern Visayas insurgency-free by 2016. (FREEMAN)