CARAGA Region has been declared under a state of Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS), effectively signaling the end of the New People’s Army’s active influence in the area.
The declaration ceremony, held at the LMX Convention Center in Butuan City on Thursday, June 18, marked the culmination of decades of joint counter-insurgency campaigns and localized development initiatives under the government’s “whole-of-nation” approach.
The NPA-free status resulted from individual resolutions passed by the peace and order councils across all five provinces and Butuan City, certifying that local communities had met the rigorous parameters required for a stable security environment.
Before the ceremony, Major General Marion T. Angcao, commander of the 4th Infantry Division, officially took his oath as the vice chairperson of the Regional Peace and Order Council XIII during a special session at the same venue.
The region’s top local chief executives were present to formally accept the security declaration, representing a united front for the region’s future economic development.
Among those in attendance were governors Maria Angelica Rosedell M. Amante (Agusan del Norte), Santiago B. Cane (Agusan del Sur), Robert Lyndon S. Barbers (Surigao del Norte), and Nilo P. Demerey Jr.
Acting Governor Manuel O. Alameda Sr. represented Surigao del Sur Governor Johnny T. Pimentel, while Mayor Lawrence Lemuel H. Fortun represented Butuan City.
In their respective acceptance messages, the local leaders credited the milestone to the collective resilience of Caraga residents and to institutional synergy between local government units and the security sector.
National defense officials emphasized that maintaining the security status requires continuous vigilance and socio-economic integration.
In a statement delivered by DND Undersecretary for Defense Affairs Angelito M. De Leon, Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. reminded stakeholders that the SIPS status brings a new set of responsibilities.
“The declaration is not the end of the journey, but rather a responsibility that must be protected and continuously strengthened through responsive governance, inclusive economic opportunities, and sustained collaboration,” Teodoro said.
AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr., represented by Eastern Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Adonis Ariel G. Orio, also extended the military leadership’s commendation to the regional forces.
Closing the event, Angcao rallied troops and stakeholders to pivot from conflict resolution to peace preservation.
“The declaration of SIPS is not the end of our journey, but the beginning of a greater responsibility to sustain the peace we have gained, protect the progress we have achieved, and ensure that future generations inherit a Caraga that is secure, resilient, and full of opportunities,” Angcao said.
