Quezon province declared insurgency- free on Independence Day
LUCENA CITY — Coinciding with the 125th Philippine Independence Day celebration yesterday, Quezon Gov. Angelina “Helen” Tan led the province-wide declaration of Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS) making the largest province in Region 4-A insurgency-free.
Following the joint efforts exerted by the military, the police, the local government units, national government agencies and civic groups, the province’ 39 municipalities and two cities have already been declared insurgency- free one after the other, the last of which was Sariaya town last Friday.
The province’ celebration of the 125th Philippine Independence Day held at the Quezon Convention Center was highlighted by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for the province’ declaration as SIPS and ready for further development development.
The MOU signatories were Tan, who is also the chairperson of the Provincial and Regional Peace and Order Council and PTF- ELCAC, members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan headed by Vice Gov. Anacleto Alcala III, Quezon Mayor’s League president Rachel Ubana, Vice Mayor’s League president Lord Arnel Ruanto, Association of Barangay Captains president Ireneo Boongaling, Sangguniang Kabataan Federation president Irish Armando, business sector representative, Quezon Represntatives Reynante Arrogancia, Keith Micah “Atorni Mike” Tan and Mark Enverga represented by Zaldy Gariguez, Area Police Command head Lt. Gen. Rhoderick Armamento, Calabarzon police deputy director for Administration Brig. Gen. Gregori Bogñalbal, Quezon police director Col. Ledon Monte, 1st Quezon Provincial Mobile Force commander Maj. Rodelio Calawit, 2nd Quezon Provincial Mobile Force commander Maj. Romar Pacis, and the 41 police stations chiefs, Southern Luzon Command chief Lt. Gen. Efren Baluyot, 2nd Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Efren Baluyot, 201st Infantry Brigade commander Brig. Gen. Erwin Alea, 202nd Infantry Brigade commander Brig. Gen. Cerilo Balaoro Jr., 1st Infantry Battalion commander Lt. Col. Danilo Escandor, 59th Infantry Battalion commander Lt. Col. Ernest Teneza, and 85th Infantry Battalion commander Lt. Col. Joel Jonson, DILG provincial director Darrel Dizon, Bureau of Fire Protection provincial director FSupt. Rowena Gollod, and CDA-Quezon head Rannie Linggahan.
Tan said the memorable day is a milestone for the province for Quezon is the first province in the region which was able to declare a real insurgency- free area — from the barangay up to the municipality, city and province.
“This is one my dreams when I accepted the challege to be the provincial governor. To be an instrument of peace and to finally put an end to the stigma that Quezon is a rebel infested province,” said Tan.
The governor expressed gratitude to all government agencies concerned, especially the military and the police, as she vowed to do her best to sustain the province’ insurgency- free and progressive status.
