CAMP CAPINPIN, TANAY, RIZAL: Batangas has been hailed as the third province of Calabarzon to be declared as “insurgency-free,” or an area with stable internal peace and security (SIPS).

Documents supporting the declaration were signed recently at the provincial capitol by Gov. Hermilando Mandanas and Maj. Gen. Greg Almerol, commander of the 2nd Infantry Division (ID), which has operational jurisdiction over Calabarzon, during a meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council attended by mayors and officials of government agencies as well as military and police commanders operating in the province.