Paete town was officially declared insurgency-free, making it the fourth municipality in this province to be included in the roster of Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS) areas, the Laguna Provincial Police Office (LPPO) announced on Thursday.

Col. Gauvin Mel Unos, acting director of the LPPO, told reporters that Paete follows the lead of Kalayaan and Santa Maria towns, which were declared free of rebel influence in July 2023, and Cavinti town, which received its insurgency-free seal on Feb. 27.

“This declaration is a testament to Laguna citizens’ desire to break free from the clutches of terrorism and instead focus on harnessing their economic potential by ensuring peace within their communities,” he said.

Unos disclosed that other jurisdictions within the province are candidates for SIPS status as well, and an evaluation process is being undertaken by the LPPO in collaboration with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

He said that under current government guidelines, a jurisdiction can only be awarded the SIPS seal if no violent terrorist activities have been recorded within its boundaries for at least one year.

Paete is a fourth class municipality in the province of Laguna with a population of 29,945 according to a 2020 census. (PNA)