Marcos confident Northern Samar will be free of communist rebel groups by end-2023

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Friday expressed confidence that communist rebel groups will be dismantled in Northern Samar by the end of the year.

“I just received the briefing on the success rate sa ating pagbuwag, sa ating pag-dismantle ng mga front, pag-weaken ng mga ibang front. And I was also given a very encouraging deadline that masabi natin that we will have dismantled all of the CTG (communist terrorist groups) fronts by the end of the year and that is the result of your good work,” Marcos said during his visit to Camp Juan Ponce of the 803rd Infantry (Peacemakers) Brigade (IB) in Sumuroy, Northern Samar.

"From the progress being made in Northern Samar, we are looking forward to declaring that province clear of CTGs by the end of the year," the President added, citing the accomplishments of the 803rd IB of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Northern Samar.

Marcos was in the province to inaugurate the Samar Pacific Coastal Road Project and distribute various assistance to residents and local government in the province, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said.

The President also joined the troops in a boodle fight during his visit to Camp Juan Ponce.

Marcos also said he could not wait to visit Northern Samar again and declare that it is free from insurgency.

“Patuloy ang pagpaganda ng sitwasyon dito at I am very, very impatient already to come back here and to be with you when we declare your area of operation clear of any CTG formations, any CTG groups,” he said.

“And that will be a big, big blow to the enemy forces because they have always felt that Northern Samar is a place that they feel safe in,” Marcos added.

Challenge

The President also challenged the 803rd IB to bring rebels back into the fold of the law.

He also said the government would give full support and assistance upon the rebels' return.

“So, that is the plan. This is how we are going to move forward but this is all founded, it is all based, on the continuing good work that you put in every day,” Marcos added.

He also reminded the troops not to let its guard down despite its victory against communist rebels in the province.

“You are still now in Northern Samar, on the frontline. Kaya’t do not let your guard down. Continue to do what you have been doing dahil, as I said, it has been successful, it has been effective and we can see that from the weakening of the enemy forces,” Marcos said.

Over 6,200 sympathizers and communist personalities in the region surrendered and two guerilla fronts were dismantled in Northern Samar, according to the PCO. The 803rd IB was instrumental in achieving these, it added.

“We have seen…..the increase in the firearms that have been neutralized and also the personalities that have been neutralized. Let us continue that trend,” Marcos said, encouraging the troops to continue working closely with the community.

Marcos also assured the military that the government will do its best to provide all the tools, equipment, and training they need as part of efforts to modernize the AFP, not only for internal security operations, but also for countering possible external threats. —KG, GMA Integrated News