ILAGAN, Isabela (PIA) — Santiago, the only independent city in the Cagayan Valley, was declared insurgency-free by the task force to end local communist armed conflict on July 31, 2024.
In a ceremony held in the city’s Robinsons Place, the local council said that the declaration was based on its resolution as recommended by the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC).
According to the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) members, the city has successfully eradicated the rebel group in its communities.
It added that the conduct of the Community Support Program White Area Operations (CSP-WAO) resulted in the capture of communist rebel leaders recruiting youths from the city.
Mayor Alyssa Sheena Tan-Dy said the declaration of insurgency-free will result in more economic activity and the smooth implementation of development programs and projects.
She said Santiago City is the center of economic activity in the Southern part of Isabela and its nearby provinces, attracting more investors.
She also thanked the security sector and other members of the task force for the city’s peace milestone.
502nd Infantry Brigade Commander B/Gen. Eugene L. Mata urged residents to help the local officials, the police, and the military to sustain the city’s insurgency-free status. (MGE/PIA Isabela)
