San Mariano, Isabela—This progressive town led by Mayor Edgar T. Go has been reconfirmed as insurgency-free by the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC). This comes after citing no reports of Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) control or takeover.
The town’s insurgency-free status was confirmed as the CTGs haven’t gained control of any ar eas since its declaration last year, on March 18, 2024.
Mayor Go commended the military, police, barangay officials, and townspeople for their sincere support in maintaining peace and order in the town.
“With the development as a continued insurgency-free locale, this will further usher in economic development,” Mayor Go stressed.
Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Dean Anthony Domalanta thanked the armed personnel for their dedication and sacrifices. He also urged everyone to remain committed to preserving peaceful harmony.
Colonel Davice Christopher Mercado, 502nd Deputy Brigade Commander, stated that San Mariano’s status as an insurgency-free and stable peace and security municipality marks the end of the dark experience in the town’s history – the danger, harassment, and terrorism brought by the CPP-NPA-NDF in the past decades.
He advised locals to stay vigilant and never allow CTGs to return and spark unrest in the community. He emphasized that the CTGs’ time has passed, and the community should not allow them to return to the area.
Earlier, Mayor Go was named an AFP Kapayapaan Awardee 2022 for his significant contributions to the Northern Luzon Command’s implementation of various programs and activities in San Mariano.
The award ceremony was held on December 21, 2022, at the General Headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Camp General Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
“Let us renew our commitment to preserving the hard-won peace and stability that we have today,” the mayor added.
“Let us continue to work together as a community to address the core causes of conflict, promote inclusion and social cohesion, and envision a future in which all inhabitants can live in safety, dignity, and prosperity.”
On April 12, 2023, San Mariano’s Sangguniang Bayan members approved Resolution No. 048-2023, declaring the town free of militants.