FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija -- A historic ceremonial signing of the declaration of achieving a Stable Internal Peace and Security status was held at Tarlac Provincial Capitol, San Vicente, Tarlac City, Tarlac on Friday, June 23.
Said activity was led by Tarlac Governor, Honorable Susan A. Yap along with Major General Andrew D. Costelo PA, commander of the 7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division, Philippine Army; Police Brigadier General Jose S. Hidalgo Jr. Regional Director, Police Regional Office - 3; Colone Gulliver L. Senires, Commander, 702Bde, 7ID, PA; Director Anthony C. Nuyda CESO III, Regional Director, DILG 3; Hon. Henry P. Cruz, Sangguniang Panlalawigan Peace and Order Committee Chairman; and other stakeholders.
In her message, Gov. Yap recognized the concerted efforts of the Philippine Army and Philippine National Police along with other government agencies who worked hand-in-hand to achieve such stability in terms of peace and security.
“With the 38 agencies now involved to bring peace dito sa ating probinsya sa tulong ng ating pambansang Pulisya at Hukbong Katihan, we have finally come na na-declare na ang probinsya ng Tarlac na Stable Internal Peace and Security na una sa Region,” said Gov. Yap.
Last June 9, the Provincial Peace and Order Council of Tarlac approved the Resolution declaring the province as Stable Internal Peace and Security.
Maj. Gen. Costelo, on the other hand, cited the vital and critical role of the Local Government Units as their partners in attaining the significant milestone in ending the local communist armed conflict.
He said that the attainment of such accomplishment was the result of the collective efforts of all stakeholders who worked hand-in-hand to achieve peace and development in the said province.
“Though this declaration is a huge and significant step towards our main goal to keep the province insurgent-free, the Philippine Army’s 7ID vows to continue the relentless conduct of our intel-driven and focused military operations to clear all areas of the enemy's presence and influence,” said Maj. Gen. Costelo.
On February 17, 2022, the National Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Council issued a Resolution declaring the weakening of the Komiteng Larangang Guerrilla Tarlac-Zambales -- an NPA unit operating in Tarlac and nearby provinces.
Said success was attributed to the relentless focused military operations of the soldiers of the 3rd Mechanized Battalion, Armor Division, Philippine Army led by Lt. Col.Jeszer M. Bautista, in its Area of Operations and to the strong support and concerted efforts of civilian government in encouraging the members of the Communist Terrorist Group to return to the folds of the law.
It can be recalled that, for more than five decades, Tarlac has been the hotbed of an insurgency because it was here that the New People’s Army was founded on March 29, 1969, in Barangay Sta. Rita, Capas, Tarlac. ###
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