More than 400 Lumads benefited from the peace caravan in Surigao del Sur around 8 a.m. on Monday conducted by the 36th Infantry Battalion together with the local government unit of San Miguel, and other agencies.
Capt. Francisco Garello Jr., the civil-military operations officer of 36th IB, said the Lumads were ferried to the multi-purpose hall of the barangay.
Garello said the Lumads availed the services and have received food packs from the government, such as medical and dental services with free medicines, porridge feeding, distribution of food packs, and vegetable and falcata seedlings, free haircut and parlor games.
The activity was attended by the different agencies of the LGU headed by San Miguel Mayor Alvaro S. Elizalde; 36th IB led by Capt, Francisco P. Garello Jr.; Datu Rico Maca, IP mandatory representative; and the Department of Education led by Linda Mendero, district supervisor of San Miguel, SDS.
Datu Maca condemned the New People's Army for continuing to endanger the IP communities with their presence.
The peace caravan in Barangay Bitaugan was the second time this year in San Miguel, considered as conflict-affected area. The first was in Sitio Nalindog, Barangay Bolhoon last Oct. 26, 2018.
“We can only attain peace if we will help each other," Elizalde said.
In his statement, Lt. Col. Xerxes A. Trinidad, commanding officer of the 36th IB, said they classify Bitaugan as an influenced area of the NPA.
"Hence, the Peace Caravan was a response to inspire unity to address peace and security concerns in the said barangay,” he said.
Bitaugan is a Lumad community that can only be accessed by four-hour trek from the poblacion.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.