Army pullout in Paquibato out of the question: officials

From the Mindanao Times (Jul 29): Army pullout in Paquibato out of the question: officials

MILITARY officials said they will not give in to the demands of Paquibato residents to pull out their forces from the area.

Lt. Gen. Ricardo Rainier G. Cruz III, commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command, said their troops are there to stay to do their mission.

“No, that is non-negotiable,” he added.

 According to Cruz, they haven’t spoken to the majority of the people but they heard the grievances from some families in the area. He said they have to talk to local stakeholders, barangay captains and councilors.

 He told local reporters that the number of rebels in the hinterlands of Paquibato has not diminished, saying that they have a list of areas affected by the New People’s Army.

 Cruz revealed that their troops discovered barangays which were not on the list, adding that they do not only know the areas of the enemy but also their forces in the area.

“We have a clear picture who the true enemy is,” Cruz said.

 Meanwhile, the 10th Infantry Division commander, Maj. Gen. Ariel Bernardo, said they have to ask everyone first, not just a voice from a few who might be instigated by the rebels.

 Bernardo told the TIMES in a text message that they did not receive any reports from residents rejecting their peace and development outreach programs (PDOP), only from some progressive groups that hold protest actions here in the city.

“It’s all agitation and propaganda enhanced by an armed threat and intimidation,” Bernardo added.

 The division commander said they will continue to deliver the basic services through the PDOP in partnership with all peace and development stakeholders, including local government units that should even be on the lead.

 Though the number of communist rebels has not diminished in Paquibato, Bernardo disclosed earlier that there are not signifcant increase of NPA members.

 Earlier this month, the 10th ID deployed about 100 soldiers to reinforce the 69th Infantry Battalion which is in charge of looking over Paquibato and some parts of Davao del Norte.

 Lt. Col. Innocencio Pasaporte, 69th IB commander, affirmed that the residents who are asking soldiers to be removed do not represent the majority, adding that only two have been identified from Paquibato based on reports.

“These are people who thrive or dwell on distorting the efforts of the unit laying the ground works for peace and development. They could not present any misdoings or atrocities that they always attribute to the soldiers,” Pasaporte told the TIMES in a text message.

 The battalion commander revealed that they identified a few who joined in the rally in front of the Sangguniang Panlungsod building last week as belonging to legal fronts aligned with the Communist Party of the Philippines.

“These groups could not present any project development related to improve peace and development in Paquibato,” he added.

 Pasaporte disclosed that the soldiers are continuously conducting dialogues with residents.

 Recently, they launched a massive feeding program in the different schools in Paquibato, targeting undernourished students which will run for four months.

Pasaporte disclosed that this is a joint effort of the Department of Education, Non-Government organizations, and barangay health workers.

http://www.mindanaotimes.net/army-pullout-in-paquibato-out-of-the-question-officials/