BURAUEN, Leyte (PIA) — “Let this day serve as a beacon of hope and a reminder that the peace we have secured is a peace we must continue to nurture,” said Mayor Juanito Renomeron of Burauen, Leyte.
He declared Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS) on September 12 at the Burauen Community College in this municipality.
This follows the signing of the memorandum of understanding, pledge of commitment, and release of doves as a sign of peace.
The SIPS declaration indicates that the local government unit is free from insurgency, fostering a safer and more peaceful community and enabling development activities that provide better opportunities for the people.
The mayor said this represents the triumphs of collective efforts, the people’s resilience, and the local government’s commitment.
The paths they traversed to attain the SIPS status were challenging, as he recalls the historical context of the insurgency in the 1970s.
Renomeron said that clashes between the New People’s Army members and government forces were seen as inevitable and sometimes led to periodic violence.
Barangay chairperson Raul Mendez of Brgy. Buenavista was surprised to discover an NPA camp in their area. However, he felt relieved when Burauen achieved the SIPS status.
“Pakiusap ko lang lalong lalo na sa mga barangay captains na nandito, dapat pag mayroon kayong nalalaman, sabihin niyo rin dito sa mga tropa natin, kay mayor, kina kagawad, sa chairperson ng peace and order council, para bago pa sila makagawa ng hakbang na ikapapahamak ng ating kababayan, mauunahan na natin sila,” Brigadier General Noel A. Vestuir, commander of the army’s 802nd Brigade, asked for continued support to the community.
Burauen is the first municipality in the second district of Leyte and the 8th in the whole province to be declared under the SIPS condition.
Before the SIPS declaration in Burauen, the province of Biliran also secured an insurgency-free status.
In addition, seven municipalities in Leyte were declared under SIPS condition: Palompon, Matag-ob, Hilongos, Isabel, Merida, Bato, and Inopacan.
This peace initiative involves collaboration and partnership with the Philippine Army, the Philippine National Police, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), local officials, residents, and other stakeholders. (AAC/CBA, PIA-8)
