As with other “insurgency-free” declarations, the Stable Internal Peace and Security Condition (SIPSC) announced upon the first district of Northern Samar is recycled hogwash. A quick internet search will reveal that in 2015, the 8th Infantry Division had declared at least nine towns in the same district as free of revolutionary influence. They went as far as to declare the revolutionary movement will be finished by 2016 which they obviously did not achieve. The continuing militarization in hundreds of barangays in the Northern Samar, despite the SIPSC declaration, directly contradicts their own claim. Their own statements prove that SIPSC proclamations are arbitrary, hollow, and have no concrete basis.

It must be noted how these proclamations are becoming more frequent in the weeks leading up to Marcos’ fourth State of the Nation Address, serving as additional fluff of his “achievements.” Meanwhile, local government units seek to curry favor with and secure campaign funds from the regime for the 2028 elections. This is similar to how discretionary “insurgency-free” declarations at the barangay level were used by barangay officials to secure ₱20-million worth of military pork barrel under the Barangay Development Program. Military officials also lick their lips for promised bonuses, promotions, and funds swindled from E-CLIP.

SIPSC declarations serve no one but the ruling class. It seeks to encourage local and foreign capitalists to plunder the area’s natural resources at the expense of the environment and the livelihood of local residents. Provincial officials are pushing for at least six wind farms in the province, including the San Isidro Wind Project; an offshore wind farm in the towns of Bobon, Mondragon, San Roque, Pambujan, Laoang and Catarman; and a wind farm in Lavezares, Allen, Victoria and Rosario. A tidal wave energy plant is also slated in Capul Island. The Samar Unity Roads project—a network of roads in the tri-boundary area of the island—will traverse the town of Bobon, to hasten the environmental plunder and destruction of the Samar Island Natural Park, the largest contiguous old growth forest in the country. Despite prevalent stunting, inflation, and poor food security, about 5,000 hectares of land in Bobon will be allocated not for food production, but for a coconut industrial park for the export of cheap raw materials.

“SIPSC” is only peace for the capitalists and plunderers. To the downtrodden, hungry, and oppressed masses, it is nothing but fake peace. That is why they continue to support the New People’s Army, because they will rather wage people’s war to attain true peace and development, no matter how difficult and long, than to put their faith in a government that every day fails them.