Surigao Norte town strengthens support to Army’s peace, development outreach program

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jul 22): Surigao Norte town strengthens support to Army’s peace, development outreach program

The municipality of Malimono in Surigao del Norte through its Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC) has intensified the implementation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP’s) Peace and Development Outreach Program (PDOP) to end conflicts and pursue peace, order and security in its locality.

It can be recalled that residents from Brgy. Tinago had evacuated to Malimono Municipal Gymnasium upon order by the NPA commander who also threatened them to suffer from the planned attack if they will refuse. However, the circulated reports deceptively appeared to be that residents were afraid of soldiers and that they wanted the military men to withdraw their presence in the barangay.

To verify the veracity of the situation, 1Lt Ryan Layug, Civil Military Operations (CMO) officer of 30IB led a Quick Reaction Team to engage the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) on July 12-13, 2016. "When I asked Tinago residents if it is true that they wanted the soldiers out of their barangay, majority vehemently denied the allegations," Layug said.

Meanwhile, reports were tipped to the soldiers, policemen and local government unit (LGU) that a rally was being organized secretly on July 13 to support the demanded pull-out of soldiers in Malimono by the IDPs. Media outlets were invited by Naghiusang Mag-uuma sa Surigao del Norte (NAMASUN) to cover the rally that was simultaneously conducted with the scheduled MPOC meeting.

"Some barangay chairpersons are now being manipulated by the NPAs. I will commit one company of soldiers here in Malimono to remove your fear and maintain security,” addressed Lt Col Rico Amaro, 30IB commander before the members of the MPOC.

"It's time to put an end to the presence of NPAs in Malimono. This is a 5th class municipality, we will not move forward with their presence because we don't want to be referred as red flagged municipality. Investors already denied us and we must not allow for the next generations of our kin to face difficulty in finding a job just because they came from an NPA-influenced town. We will implement and support PDOP,"

Mayor Wallace Sinaca said after soliciting the views of barangay chairpersons and the MPOC.

According to reports from concerned residents, the NPA is desperate to maintain its hold in Malimono because of the small-scale illegal mining where they usually got a share. Also, the farmers, fisherfolks, store owners, jeepney operators, government employees and other businesses in Malimono are  being collected with revolutionary tax.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2761469120989/surigao-norte-town-strengthens-support-to-army-s-peace-development-outreach-program