Once a hotbed of Samar’s insurgency problem
TACLOBAN CITY– The municipality of Pinabacdao in Samar has officially been declared under a Stable Internal Peace and Security Condition (SIPSC), marking a significant milestone in its journey toward sustainable peace and development.
The declaration ceremony was held on Tuesday, April 8, in Barangay Obayan led by Mayor Teodorico Mabag, chairperson of the Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (MTF-ELCAC).
The event was attended by local officials, law enforcement agencies, stakeholders, and residents of the municipality.
Brigadier General Noel Vestuir, commander of the 802nd Infantry Brigade, credited the declaration to the unified and proactive efforts of the local task force under Mayor Mabag’s leadership.
“The declaration of the insurgency’s end in what was once a hotbed of violence in Samar is a significant milestone for Pinabacdao. It paves the way for increased investor confidence, new business ventures, and a boost in local tourism,” he said.
Major General Adonis Ariel Orio, commander of the 8th Infantry Division, also hailed the declaration as proof of what collective effort can accomplish.
“This milestone is a testament to the collaboration between local governments, law enforcement, and communities. It reminds us that insurgency is not solely a military concern but a shared societal responsibility,” he emphasized.
Pinabacdao is now the 53rd local government unit within the 802nd Brigade’s area of responsibility to be declared insurgency-free, signaling continued progress in the government’s peace and development agenda across Samar.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
