TACLOBAN CITY – The provincial government of Samar has reiterated its full support for the Philippine Army’s peace and security initiatives, as Governor Sharee Ann Tan joined the 37th founding anniversary celebration of the 8th Infantry Division (8ID) on Thursday, August 8, 2025, at Camp Vicente Lukban in Catbalogan City.
In her message, Gov. Tan congratulated the 8ID for its decades-long service and unwavering commitment to protecting the province and the rest of Eastern Visayas from threats to public safety. She emphasized that Samar’s local government will remain a steadfast partner in sustaining peace and order.
The governor credited the collective efforts of the military, local governments, and communities for what she described as a “notable level of peace” in the province — a significant achievement for an area once plagued by decades of insurgency.
Since 2023, at least 10 local government units (LGUs) in Samar have been declared under Stable Internal Peace and Security Condition (SIPSC), including Calbayog City and the towns of Tarangnan, San Sebastian, Talalora, Sta. Margarita, Almagro, and Sto. Niño.
Gov. Tan also cited the 8ID’s crucial role in dismantling four major communist fronts in recent years, namely: Front Committee 2, Sub-Regional Committee (SRC) Emporium, Front Committee 1, SRC Emporium, Front Committee 15, SRC Arctic, and Front Committee 3, SRC Arctic
The 8ID, which oversees military operations in the islands of Leyte, Samar, and Biliran, has been at the forefront of counter-insurgency campaigns and community development initiatives in the region.
“The peace we now enjoy in Samar is a shared victory,” Gov. Tan said, adding that sustained collaboration between the Army and local stakeholders is key to ensuring lasting security and enabling progress.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
