Sagada villagers decry NPA’s disregard of peace zone status

From the Baguio Midland Courier (Mar 11): Sagada villagers decry NPA’s disregard of peace zone status

One of the biggest organizations of Sagada people residing in Baguio condemned the supposed disregard by the New People’s Army of the town’s status as a peace zone.

Cordillera police reported Thursday the Banga-an Fidelisan Tanulong Madongo Pide and Aguid Association (BFTMPAA) in Baguio and its suburbs passed a resolution condemning the shooting of SPO3 Wilfredo Degay by the NPA in Poblacion, Sagada on Feb. 2.

Also condemned in the resolution was the ambush of personnel of the Army’s 54th Infantry Battalion at Pegeo, Tetep-an, Sagada on Nov. 30, 2014, which it claimed is clear indifference of the NPA to the clamor for peace and ceasefire.

The attempt on the life of Degay came in the midst of the national mourning for the 44 fallen members of the PNP Special Action Force in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on Jan. 25.

The resolution of condemnation was approved on Feb. 22, according to the report of the Cordillera police.

In the resolution of BFTMPAA chaired by Jose Ngina, the group appealed to the Sagada local government unit “to forcefully assert the peace zone status of Sagada by publishing an official statement and condemnation of the shooting of SPO3 Degay.”

The resolution also hopes for the enforcement of the implementing structure and sanctioning mechanism pursuant to a peace zone resolution adopted in November 1988.

Since 1988, Sagada has been declared as a peace zone,  both government forces and the NPA vowing to respect the town as off-limits to combat.

It also requested the Sagada LGU to assist the northern barangays of Sagada to effectively enforce the Feb. 25, 2010 agreement by identifying those who feed and provide refuge to the NPA and other armed groups and impose appropriate sanction as provided in their respective barangay resolutions.

“PRO-Cordillera fully supports the approved resolution condemning the total disregard by NPA members of the status of Sagada as a peace Zone,” the regional police command said in a press statement.

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