(MIO CATARMAN, NORTHERN SAMAR FACEBOOK)
TACLOBAN CITY — The provincial capital of Northern Samar, Catarman, has been officially declared under a stable internal peace and security (SIPS) condition — more popularly known as “insurgency-free” — marking a major milestone in its decades-long journey toward peace and stability.
The declaration, held on Oct.16, recognizes the town’s progress in addressing local insurgency threats and fostering a secure environment conducive to development. It also signifies that the responsibility for maintaining internal peace and order now lies primarily with the local government unit (LGU) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), with continued support from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
The ceremony, held in Catarman, highlighted the collective effort of various stakeholders led by the Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (MTF-ELCAC) chaired by Mayor Dianne Rosales.
“Ini nga SIPS Declaration diri ini an katapusan, kundi panibag-o ini nga pagtikang — sayo nga panata nga aatamanon nga tatagan naton bug-at an kamurayawan nga aton nakab-ot,” Mayor Rosales said.
“Let us continue to build a Catarman where hope thrives, opportunities abound, and peace is sustained for generations to come.”
The event was attended by key officials including DILG Northern Samar Provincial Director Geraldine Maquelabit, 803rd Infantry Brigade Commander Brig. Gen. Carmelito Pangatungan, Police Provincial Director Col. Sonnie Omengan, and Governor Harris Christopher Ongchuan, represented by SP Member Neil Hernandez.
Lt. Col. Jayson Que, commanding officer of the 43rd Infantry Battalion, described the declaration as a product of sustained collaboration among all sectors of society.
“Achieving insurgency-free status is a significant achievement, but it is not the end of the journey. We must remain vigilant and continue to work together to sustain the peace we have achieved,” Lt. Col. Que said.
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed between the LGU of Catarman, the AFP, and the PNP, reaffirming their united commitment to maintaining peace and development. The signing was followed by a symbolic release of white doves, representing hope for a peaceful and progressive Catarman.
Brig. Gen. Pangatungan commended former rebels who decided to lay down their arms and reintegrate into society, calling them “symbols of renewed hope.”
“Peace is not merely the absence of conflict but the presence of hope, livelihood, and dignity,” he said. “This declaration marks a new mission — to sustain development, deliver services even to the farthest sitios, and empower every Nortehanon to live with dignity.”
Also present were Vice Mayor Francisco Rosales Jr., members of the Sangguniang Bayan, 55 barangay captains, municipal department heads, and representatives from national government agencies, who all joined in signing the Wall of Commitment — a collective pledge to safeguard the peace the town has achieved.
The SIPS declaration positions Catarman as a model for other towns in Northern Samar still striving for lasting peace, underscoring the importance of local leadership, community participation, and inter-agency cooperation in ending local insurgency and sustaining progress.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
