THE Philippine Army is mulling to declare Leyte as a communist insurgent-free province by the end of the year, saying anti-insurgency drive has been gaining headway this year.
Colonel Virgilio Espeneli, deputy commanding general of the 8th Infantry Division based in Catbalogan City in Samar, said following the crossfire incident in Kananga, Leyte, that killed botanist Leonardo Co last November 2010, there has been no encounter between government troops and insurgents in the Leyte Island.
“The target is before the end of the year, we will be able to pronounce Leyte as insurgent-free area. We hope to achieve that. There were sightings early this year in mountainous areas like in Kananga and Burauen but their force is insignificant,” Espeneli said.
Leyte Governor Jericho Petilla said he is hesitant to declare the province as insurgent-free area because this might result in pulling government troops out of the province.
“Even if it is true, I do not want any declaration because I want the military to stay in Leyte. I’ll be happy to declare Leyte as insurgent-free as long as there will be no movements of Army troops. We are insurgent-free because we are supported by the Army,” Petilla told reporters.
He said it is a tough job to make Leyte completely free of insurgents but rebel activities have been “minimized to the point that it does not affect any activities of residents.”
Espeneli said the gains sustained in Leyte can be attributed to the improved road networks connecting different towns of Leyte and vigilance of local residence.
The military has set a six-month parameter as basis in declaring whether the area can be confirmed free of rebels’ threat.
A province is categorized as insurgency-free when the threat posed by the New People’s Army is successfully downgraded into a mere law and order problem.
“In Leyte, insurgents are not that many. Hopefully, we can achieve the goal within the timeline,” the Army official said.
Last September 29, the Philippine Army and Provincial Government of Southern Leyte pronounced the province as an insurgency-free area.
The province of Southern Leyte is the sixth province in Visayas that was declared under such condition, together with the provinces of Biliran, Bohol, Cebu, Guimaras and Siquijor. (Leyte Samar Daily Express)
