Guiuan, 4 towns declared as insurgent-free

THE Philippine Army in the region has declared Guiuan as “insurgent-free and development-ready municipality,” in a joint declaration on Wednesday.

Major General Gerardo Layug, commanding officer of the 8th Infantry Division, said 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 in the municipality.

Mayor Annaliza Kwan expressed gratitude to the military for declaring the town as free from insurgency.

Aside from Guiuan, the towns of Balangkayan, Maydolong, Taft and Salcedo were earlier declared as insurgent-free.

“Communities in these areas had been frequented by NPAs and have affected the government’s development efforts. But these municipalities have always exercised full responsibility over its internal concerns as a local government unit,” Layug said.

Layug added that more towns in Eastern Samar will be declared insurgents-free as the military continues its operations in the northern part of the province where a minimal number of rebels are operating.

Eastern Samar has one city and 22 municipalities and is under the 801st Infantry Brigade and 14th Infantry Battalion based in Jipapad town. Several Army detachments are stationed in remote villages.

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

Security concerns in the region particularly on insurgency, has been identified as a major hindrance to government efforts to promote investments. (Leyte Samar Daily Express)