SOLCOM Marks 39th Founding Anniversary, Highlights Peace, Security, and Development Gains in Southern Luzon

LUCENA CITY, Quezon – The Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) celebrated its 39th Founding Anniversary on Friday, June 26, 2026, at the SOLCOM Covered Court inside Camp Guillermo Nakar, Lucena City. The celebration was graced by AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo S. Brawner Jr. PA as the Guest of Honor and Speaker.

The anniversary program featured the singing of the Philippine National Anthem, invocation, welcome remarks, an audio-visual presentation highlighting SOLCOM’s accomplishments, presentation of awards, anniversary message, and the keynote address of General Brawner. The event concluded with the presentation of a memento, the singing of the SOLCOM Hymn, a photo opportunity, and a fellowship lunch.

During the celebration, SOLCOM recognized distinguished military personnel and valued stakeholders for their unwavering support and significant contributions to the command’s mission of promoting peace, security, and development in Southern Luzon.

The military awardees were Brig. Gen. Michael Odylon Lagman Romero PAF (Res), LCDR Orlan R. Orosco PN, Maj. Mariano B. Paat PA, Maj. Allan F. Terado PA, Maj. Karl Edwin G. Guardacasa PA, 1Lt. Merjoerie V. Ballesteros PA, MSg Edgar C. Vidad PA, and PFC Alfred M. Montaño PA.

Meanwhile, stakeholder awardees included Quezon Governor Hon. Angelina “Doktora Helen” De Luna-Tan, Southern Luzon State University (SLSU) President Dr. Frederick T. Villa, Mr. Nelson Licup, Private Sector Representative of the SLSU Board of Regents, San Pablo City Mayor Arcadio “Najie” Gapangada Jr., Infanta, Quezon Mayor Lord Arnel L. Ruanto, Ms. Ann Janet Millar and Mr. Jomel Sabalza of the DIOS MABALOS PO Foundation Inc., and Hon. Adrenico Zubiaga, Barangay Chairman of Sta. Ines, Tanay, Rizal.

Established on January 1, 1987, pursuant to AFP General Order No. 81, SOLCOM serves as one of the AFP’s Unified Commands tasked to conduct joint military operations aimed at protecting the Filipino people, preserving peace and security, defending national sovereignty, and supporting national development across Southern Luzon. Its headquarters is located at Camp Guillermo Nakar in Lucena City, Quezon, where it integrates the operational capabilities of the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy, and Philippine Air Force.

Currently led by Lt. Gen. Cerilo C. Balaoro Jr. PA, SOLCOM’s area of responsibility covers CALABARZON, MIMAROPA (except Palawan), and the Bicol Region, encompassing 15 provinces, 28 cities, 277 municipalities, and 8,517 barangays, with an estimated population of 24 million people, including over 116,600 Indigenous Peoples.

From January 2025 to the present, SOLCOM reported significant operational accomplishments, including 83 armed encounters, the neutralization of 56 enemy combatants, four high-value targets, and 19 key leaders, while recovering 482 firearms. It also recorded the surrender of 224 New People’s Army (NPA) regulars and militia members, the withdrawal of 553 underground mass organization members and supporters, and the dismantling of six sub-regional committees and one horizontal platoon.

In terms of peace and security, SOLCOM announced that eight provinces within its area have already been declared under Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS) status. The command also highlighted the declaration of CALABARZON as a Stable Internal Peace and Security Region on June 12, 2026, while noting that two provinces in MIMAROPA have likewise attained SIPS status. In the Bicol Region, Catanduanes remains the lone province with SIPS declaration.

A major highlight of the anniversary was the presentation of “Road to Peace in Southern Luzon,” SOLCOM’s flagship Internal Security Operations Exit Strategy. The initiative focuses on the reintegration of former rebels, community empowerment, the Whole-of-Nation Approach, and the transition from internal security operations toward external security operations.

Supporting programs under the initiative include the Joint Task Force Kapit Bisig, YES INSPIRE Program for Students, the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), Itlog ng Pag-asa Program, Kapit-All-You Program for Former Rebels, sustainable livelihood projects, and the establishment of Kanlungan and Baliktan Peace Villages for former rebels.

SOLCOM also reported that 1,673 former rebels have been successfully reintegrated, with more than ₱43 million in E-CLIP assistance released. Additionally, 1,930 amnesty applications are currently being processed, while four former rebel cooperatives have received assistance. Through the Itlog ng Pag-asa Program, over 900 ready-to-lay hens have been distributed, providing beneficiaries with a reported monthly net income of approximately ₱99,000.

Beyond security operations, SOLCOM cited its community development efforts, including 283 medical missions benefiting over 99,000 individuals, 233 dental missions serving more than 11,000 beneficiaries, 272 Operation Tuli activities assisting over 8,000 children, 270 bloodletting drives collecting more than 4,000 bags of blood, and 1,054 outreach activities reaching nearly 149,000 beneficiaries.

The command likewise emphasized its environmental and humanitarian initiatives, conducting 358 tree-planting activities resulting in the planting of more than 537,000 trees, 1,235 coastal and community clean-up drives, and 857 rescue and relief operations in response to disasters and emergencies.

As part of its territorial defense mission, SOLCOM continues to help safeguard strategic national areas, including the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the Extended Continental Shelf (ECS), portions of the Philippine Rise, Mindoro Strait, and San Bernardino Strait, underscoring their importance to national security, maritime safety, economic stability, and freedom of navigation.

Celebrating nearly four decades of dedicated service, SOLCOM reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening peace, security, and sustainable development through collaborative efforts among government agencies, local government units, security forces, civil society organizations, the private sector, and local communities across Southern Luzon.

Photo Credit: Southern Luzon Command