In a significant stride towards peace, eight out of the 24 towns in Northern Samar have been officially recognized as free from the threats posed by the New People’s Army (NPA). This declaration was announced by the provincial government on December 13, 2024. The towns of Bobon and Mondragon were the most recent to receive this status, following a formal declaration in late November. Other towns previously recognized include Allen, Biri, Capul, Rosario, San Jose, and San Vicente. These areas have maintained zero NPA activity for at least a year, earning them the Stable Internal Peace and Security Conditions (SIPSC) status. The SIPSC status is awarded by the Armed Forces of the Philippines to local government units that are unaffected by terrorist activities and are considered relatively peaceful. The recognition also acknowledges the towns’ efforts in local peace initiatives, the surrender and disaffiliation of former NPA members, and the commitment from various agencies and sectors to foster peace. The provincial government highlighted the collaborative efforts of local governments, the Philippine Army, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and development partners in achieving this milestone. Despite these advancements, some areas in Northern Samar continue to experience armed conflicts. Recently, on December 2, a violent clash in Paco village, Las Navas, resulted in the deaths of seven rebels. Another encounter on December 5 in Barangay Victory, Las Navas, and Barangay Geparayan de Turag, Silvino Lobos, led to the deaths of two more NPA members. Following these incidents, military forces recovered four M16 rifles, two pistols, three grenades, and various personal items from the sites.
