Siaton enforces defense system vs. leftist groups

From the Visayan Daily Star (Jul 22): Siaton enforces defense system vs. leftist groups
Barangay Mantiquil in Siaton town, Negros Oriental, is implementing a defense system against leftist organizations and dubious personalities.

The barangay officials, headed by Jasmine Dapias, said the system is pursuant to Ordinance No. 01, series of 2008, or the ordinance that refuses to accept or entertain outsiders without first presenting a barangay clearance or valid identification, and their purpose.

The ordinance was read by Kagawad Rolando Millares at the oath of allegiance rites of 18 rebel returnees in Sitio Quadra, Mantiquil, Siaton yesterday.

Millares said the barangay is frequently visited by organizations and unknown personalities who organized the residents without presenting documents such as barangay clearance, valid identification, mayor’s permit or even a notice to proceed, only to find out that these groups and persons are fronts of the New People’s Army.

Meanwhile, the 30 former NPA rebels who surrendered to the 79th Infantry Battalion in Siaton, took their oath of allegiance to support the government in a ceremony witnessed by provincial government officials, headed by Gov. Roel Degamo recently.

The former rebels are composed of 28 Party Branch and Yunit Militia members, and two regular red fighters of the NPA under the Komiteng Rehiyonal Sentral Bisayas in the southeastern part of Negros Occidental, Col. Christopher Estella, 302nd Infantry Brigade commander, said.

Estella said the rebel returnees denounced the NPA for its lies and deceptions, and took their oath of allegiance before Degamo and Siaton Mayor Alberto Ator.

He said the delivery of basic government services is the key to achieving peace and development in the countryside. Degamo said he and Ator will bring in more developmental programs to the town, especially in Brgy. Mantiquil.

Cidni Mapa, provincial coordinator of the Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation, also witnessed the activity and said he is optimistic that a housing project in Sitio Quadra, Siaton, will soon be realized.

The pledge of allegiance was highlighted by the burning of a CPP-NPA flag by the rebel returnees, followed by a joint outreach program that benefitted 672 residents of Sitio Quadra and neighboring areas.

The mission provided free medical, dental, blood typing/profiling and animal vaccination services, and was sponsored by Siaton and the 79th IB, with support from the RN Heals, Philippine Dental Association, Negros Oriental Chapter, Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital, Department of Agriculture and the 302nd Brigade Medical and Dental Team.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2013/July/22/negor1.htm