News Article from CRSAFP Website by Media Affairs Group: Aurora Province Declared Insurgency Free

CAMP AGUINALDO – Once touted as an NPA stronghold, Aurora Province is now ‘insurgency-free.  In a joint declaration last February 19, the province of Aurora has been formally declared to be free of armed insurgents; and its security responsibility turned over to the local government.

The declaration was signed by the Provincial Government of Aurora represented by Governor Bellaflor J. Angara-Castillo; by the AFP through Colonel Felicito Virgilio M Trinidad Jr, Commander of 702nd Brigade; and through Police Senior Superintendent Romulo A Esteban of Aurora Provincial Police Office.  It states that “there is no more barangay in the whole province of Aurora that is still under the influence or control of the communist terrorists and that the large-scale terrorist activities are reduced to inconsequential level”.

“The influence of the CPP-NPA is waning around the country. This can be clearly seen with the increase on the number of communities being cleared of NPA influence”, Brigadier General Francisco N Cruz Jr, Commander, Civil Relations Service said.

Before this, two Aurora towns have already been declared as NPA free.  These are the town of Dinalugan, located at the northern part of Aurora Province; and the Municipality of San Luis.  The municipal government of Dinalugan, with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police, signed a memorandum of agreement for the provincial government to take over the lead role in the Internal Security Operations (ISO); while the stakeholders of San Luis also signed a Covenant of Peace which signifies the courage and dedication of the residents of San Luis to finally end insurgency in their area by taking an active part in the counter-insurgency efforts and by strongly supporting the AFP and the PNP.

Another Aurora municipality that has been strong in condemning the NPA armed struggle is Dilasag.  In December 18 last year, thousands of participants from Dilasag barangays and their local executives, peace advocates, the religious sector, and the youth gathered together in a grand peace rally for an insurgency-free Aurora and to render full support to the government’s counter-insurgency campaign.

Now, all eight (8) municipalities of the province are declared free of insurgents. The declaration formalized the insurgency-free status of the whole province of Aurora.

Combined efforts of the AFP, PNP, and local government units (LGUs) had led to the clearing of the communities from communist terrorist (CT) influence, along with the considerable support of the people.

“This proves that though military efforts are essential in our counter-insurgency campaign; it is the holistic approach or the convergence of the many elements of government, civil society, and other stakeholders that effectively address insurgency,” conveys BGen Cruz.

With this turnover of ISO, the provincial government assumed the lead role in securing the province against any attempts of the NPA to once again infiltrate the province. Though the main thrust is upon the local government, the 702nd Brigade, 7ID will continue to address any armed remnants of the insurgents and provide assistance to the province in terms of security and socio-economic projects.

“Like the province of Aurora, more provinces will be handed over in the succeeding months.  Thus it can be said that the end is near for the local communist movement”, Cruz added.