President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Presidential Communications Office  

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Friday expressed confidence that the Philippines would soon be declared insurgency-free as the government continued its peace efforts.

The Philippine leader made the statement as he declared the entire province of Misamis Occidental free from insurgency during a program held in the city of Tangub.

The announcement comes months after the Philippine army successfully dismantled in December 2023 the NPA’s Guerrilla Front Sendong and other rebel groups, which had operated in the province for over 50 years.

“After years of consistent and resolute security, peace, and community-building, we have succeeded in our campaign to end the decades of conflict in the sixty barangays in your province that were once in the clutches of insurgent movements,” Marcos said.

“We have successfully dismantled the key leadership of the former insurgents operating in Misamis Occidental, which have now led to their reintegration in today’s society.”

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Marcos attributed the development to strong collaboration among the national and local governments, the military, the police, and the community, which he said allowed the transformation of conflict-affected areas into peaceful communities.

He said these efforts included 46 projects under the government’s Barangay Development Programs from 2021 to 2023, including the construction of farm-to-market roads, roads, and bridges, and the improvement of water supply systems.

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The President committed to the “aggressive implementation of socioeconomic interventions” to sustain peace and stability and prevent the recurrence of conflict in Misamis Occidental.

“I ask the local government units of Misamis Occidental to intensify collaboration with various government agencies, partners, and other stakeholders to thwart any posturing or coming back of terrorist groups or any of their financiers or supporters may still be contemplating,” Marcos said.

“With us perpetuating the peace efforts that we made here, I know that soon we will be able to declare the entire country, the entire republic, as insurgency-free.”

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