Tagapul-an: The island town of Tagapul-an in Samar province has been formally declared as free from threats of the New People's Army (NPA) due to sustained efforts for peace, security, and development. The town's declaration under a Stable Internal Peace and Security Condition (SIPSC) was formalized on Thursday with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) led by Tagapul-an Mayor Princess Kate Limpiado, Philippine Army 801st Infantry Brigade commander Brig. Gen. Arlino Sendaydiego, and 14th Infantry Battalion commander Lt. Col. Esmeraldo Sumalinog.

According to Philippines News Agency, the SIPSC declaration acknowledges the town's ongoing peace, stability, and lack of major insurgency or internal conflict, fostering a better environment for growth. In her message, Limpiado emphasized that the declaration is not the culmination of peacebuilding efforts but the beginning of a more focused and sustained development agenda for the municipality.

'With an improved peace and security environment, Tagapul-an is now better positioned to attract investment, expand social services, and implement long-term development programs that will improve the quality of life for every Tagapul-anon,' she said. The mayor also acknowledged the collective contributions of past and present local officials, barangay leaders, security forces, and community stakeholders, whose efforts made the declaration possible.

Meanwhile, Sendaydiego said the SIPSC declaration reflects the municipality's progress in addressing insurgency-related concerns through close collaboration among local government units, security agencies, and community partners. He noted that the achievement demonstrates the effectiveness of the government's whole-of-nation approach to addressing the root causes of insurgency and promoting lasting peace and stability in Samar.

With Tagapul-an's declaration under SIPSC, all five island municipalities of Samar province have now attained insurgency-free status. These include Almagro, Sto. Ni±o, Daram, and Zumarraga. Other local government units in Samar that have previously been declared under the same status include Sta. Rita, Calbiga, Matuguinao, Villareal, Pinabacdao, Pagsanghan, Tarangnan, San Sebastian, Sta. Margarita, and Calbayog City.