BORONGAN CITY, July 13 -- This city was declared on Monday as insurgency-free, becoming the 21st local government unit in Eastern Samar to achieve the security milestone.

The declaration of the city under the Stable Internal Peace and Security Condition (SIPSC), was led by the Philippine Army's 8th Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Peter Burgonio, Eastern Samar Lone District Rep. Christopher Sheen Gonzales, Borongan City Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda and Vice Gov. Maricor Sison-Goteesan, who represented Gov. Ralph Vincent Evardone.

In his message, Agda stressed that the SIPSC declaration should not mark the end of the city's peace efforts but should instead inspire continued collaboration among government agencies and communities to su...