By Matthew Go
The Philippine Army has declared Pagsanjan, a municipality in Laguna province, insurgency-free, moving the province closer to achieving “Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS)” status.
The announcement was made on Wednesday by Col. Ernest John Jadloc, deputy commander of the 202nd Infantry Brigade and head of Task Force Ugnay, during a briefing. Jadloc attributed the declaration to the collaboration among local authorities, security forces, and residents, emphasizing its potential to pave the way for “peace, development, and economic growth” in the area.
The Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC), in partnership with the 202nd Infantry Brigade, reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining stability across Laguna. Officials clarified that a recent clash in Famy town involved armed groups originating from outside the province.
Pagsanjan, which was recently reclassified by the Department of Finance as a second-class municipality with an annual income ranging from PHP160 million to PHP200 million, is expected to benefit from the insurgency-free designation. The Philippine Army noted that the status would further bolster progress and security in the municipality.
This is not the first time the entirety of Laguna province, including Pagsanjan, has been declared insurgency-free. In September 2019, the province was designated as an area with Stable Internal Peace and Security after more than a year without reported insurgent-related violence.