Thursday, July 4, 2019

Aurora province condemns actions, activities of CPP-NPA

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 4, 2019): Aurora province condemns actions, activities of CPP-NPA


RESOLUTION VS. CPP-NPA. Members of the Aurora Peace and Order Council headed by Governor Gerardo Noveras (center), hold the approved resolution which condemns the actions and activities of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), including its front group and affiliates, during the meeting held at the provincial capitol in Baler, Aurora on Thursday (July 4, 2019). The council said the activities of the communist rebels hamper the peace and development of the province. (Photo by Jason de Asis)

BALER, Aurora -- The Aurora Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) approved on Thursday a resolution condemning the actions and activities of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), including its front group and affiliates, which are detrimental to the peace and development of the province.

In a meeting presided by Governor Gerardo A. Noveras held at the provincial capitol here, the PPOC expressed its full support to Executive Order (EO) 70, the "National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict” signed by President Rodrigo Duterte as a way to help end the decades-old communist insurgency problem.

The council members who attended the meeting were Brig. General Rowen S. Tolentino, commander of the Army’s 703rd Infantry Brigade; Lt. Col. Jose Mari F Torrenueva II, commanding officer of the Army’s 91st Infantry Battalion; Lt. Col. Reynante D. Pitpitan, chief of Police Community Relations Aurora Police Provincial Office; Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) officials, department heads of the local government of Aurora; and members of the Sangguniang Bayan.

"This is the LGU’s step in asserting that the province is ready for long-lasting peace to attain sustainable development. In order to maintain peace and order in the community and suppress the lawless violence that creates havoc, fear and panic among the populace, members of CPP-NPA are now unwelcomed in the province of Aurora,” the resolution read.

Torrenueva, in an interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA), said the declaration will serve as a turning point or a big leap in their counter-insurgency efforts for it manifested a whole of government approach in addressing peace and security concerns in the province.

He said that insurgency cannot be resolved by a purely military solution.

“The Philippine Army is fortunate to have supportive Governor Noveras that is making our hard work much easier. While we are targeting the armed group, social issues are being addressed by the different local government agencies and the local government units through the leadership of the governor,” Torrenueva said.

He also called on the rebels to go back to the mainstream of society through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) program of the government.

“The insurgents are not our enemies, they are just forced into that situation, maybe they lack awareness, in poverty or any compelling reasons at that time. We enjoin them to go back to the mainstream of society,” Torrenueva said.

He added that four former NPA members availed of financial assistance from the DILG under the E-CLIP program last May 21.

Each rebel received PHP65,000, of which PHP15,000 is for immediate assistance while PHP50,000 is for livelihood assistance.

Torrenueva said four rebels also surrendered their high-powered firearms, four M16s and one M60.

“The remuneration for the surrendered firearms is now on process,” he said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1074112

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.