Tabak chief lauds 53rd IB’s feat in bringing down CPP-NPA’s influence in Zambo. Sur

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jun 1): Tabak chief lauds 53rd IB’s feat in bringing down CPP-NPA’s influence in Zambo. Sur

GUIPOS, Zamboanga del Sur, – 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division commander BGen. Gerardo Barrientos Jr. got impressed with the achievements of the 53rd Infantry (MATAPAT) battalion, as it succeeded in bringing down the influence of the Communist Party of the Philippines- New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in the province.

Speaking on Friday before the officers, enlisted personnel, stakeholders, and dependents during the 13th Refilling Anniversary of the unit at Camp Major David Sabido here, Barrientos cited the efforts undertaken by the battalion in the implementation of the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) or “Bayanihan” campaign resulting in the decline of the CPP-NPA’s influence in the area.

In his report, Lt. Col. Alvin Luzon, commanding officer, said “the influence of CPP-NPA in the province is on steady decline, as there was no record of terror activities and/or NPA-nitiated violent incidents for more than a year now. As local communist movement members are gradually returning to the mainstream society.”

Meanwhile, Barrientos said the success of the unit in preventing the threat of insurgency is attributed to the support extended by various stakeholders.

“I thanked the local chief executives, national government organizations, and peoples organizations for their active support and cooperation because without the involvement of stakeholders I am certain that the 1st Infantry division could not achieve their mission in making the province peaceful,” Barrientos said.

“Imposible pong magampanan ng ating mga kasundaluhan ang kanilang trabaho kung hindi magbibigay ng tulong ang ating mga stakeholders, kaya palagi natin silang ini-involved sa ating mga peace efforts,” Barrientos added.

(It would be impossible for our soldiers to perform their work without the stakeholders’ help. Thus, we always involved them in our peace efforts).

Barrientos said collaborations have been made by the AFP with all stakeholders to intensify their engagement as mandated by “Oplan Bayanihan”.

Proof of this, Barrientos said “the 1st Infantry division has organized the Multi-Sectoral Governance Council (MSGC) to monitor the soldiers if they are sincerely performing their work as protector of the people. They serve as the ‘eyes of our people’ and it is their duty and responsibility to check if the soldiers are efficiently performing their work.”

“To our forces, let us continue to serve with excellence to show our dedication.  Let us continue to be the soldiers of the Filipino people and by doing so, we can say that we are slowly getting towards our main objective that is the Philippine army the source of our national pride,” Barrientos concluded.     

Among those present in the said occasion were Governor Antonio H. Cerilles, Vice Governor Juan Regala, 103rd Brigade Commander Colonel Andres Aguinaldo Jr.,  local chief executives, and stakeholders.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1371433126393/tabak-chief-lauds-53rd-ib-s-feat-in-bringing-down-cpp-npa-s-influence-in-zambo-sur