Security agencies declare Carigara, Leyte as rebel-free

CARIGARA, Leyte, March 15 (PNA) -- The Philippine Army, Leyte police provincial office and the local government unit here jointly declared this town as a stable, internally peaceful and secured.

According to Lt. Col. Roberto B. Sarmineto, commander of the Army’s 19th Infantry Battalion, covering Carigara, the town is already cleared based on the accomplished imperatives stipulated in the National Internal Security Plan (NISP).

He said that the communist terrorist movement (CTM) “ceased to function as an organized insurgent movement and its threat to stability, peace and order development is significantly reduced and regulated to inconsequential level.”

The actual and potential CTM support systems are cut and its capabilities have been substantially degraded making them incapable of resurging as an insurgent group and waging isolated armed incidents and its efforts to infiltrate areas and sectoral organizations has been prevented,” Sarmiento said

“The declaration will lead to people’s peaceful mind towards their environment, their trust towards the security forces will be strengthened and their economic activities will not be hampered by unfriendly forces” he added.

Prior to declaration, there has been no major incident with the involvement of CTM that took place in the past three years. This is largely due to continued progress and development as well as the support of the community.

Town Mayor Eduardo C. Ong was elated with the declaration, saying that it would convey positive message to investors that would create more jobs for locals.

He said that the declaration does not mean that the members of the military will cease from operating in this town as they will remain to sustain gains. (PNA)
FFC/SQM/LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA/EGR