Malungon, Sarangani – Local officials here have warned against the reported recruitment by New People’s Army (NPA) in remote villages inhabited by indigenous people.
Citing reports,
Malungon Mayor Reynaldo Constantino said the NPA, the armed-wing of the
Communist Party of the Philippines
Constantino,
together with Sangguniang Bayan members, conducted a dialogue recently with
village officials and residents of Barangay Ampon to reiterate the commitment
of the local government to provide basic services in depressed communities.
He said the local
government was undertaking development programs in education, infrastructure,
social and health services aimed at uplifting the lives of the
marginalized sector.
“I think there is
no reason why we should support an ideology which is Godless and undemocratic,”
Constantino said.
He urged the
local officials and residents to support the programs being undertaken by the
local government.
“There is no
other government in the locality that should be supported by the people except
the local government of Malungon,” the mayor said.
Vice Mayor Erwin
Asgapo cited the importance of education for indigenous peoples as a means to
alleviate from poverty.
“If the youth are
properly educated, they could not easily be swayed to join lawless groups like
the NPA,” Asgapo said.
Military
authorities have expressed concern on the massive recruitment by NPA among the
local indigenous peoples group in the remote villages.
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