Seven towns in Occidental Mindoro have been declared free from insurgency, according to the regional police chief.

Police Brigadier General Roger Quesada said the towns of Looc, Lubang, Mamburao, Paluan, Sta Cruz, Magsaysay, and Abra de Ilog have been placed under Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS) status.

The announcement was made during a meeting in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro on Tuesday.

The police, along with the local government and the Philippine Army, have been working together to maintain peace and security in the area through a program called Serbisyo Caravan, Quesada said. 

He said the strategy is to bring government services to remote areas and undermine the influence of the Communist Terrorist Group.

Captain Aisyr Pagba of the 76th Infantry Battalion-Philippine Army said that towns under SIPS status experience improved peace and security, which in turn boosts tourism and the economy.

“The declaration of SIPS status is a significant achievement for our province,” Capt. Pagba said. “It shows that our efforts to maintain peace and security are paying off.”

The Philippine government has been battling communist insurgents for decades, with the conflict affecting many parts of the country. (source: PIA)