Former NPA Supporters/Sympathizers Pledge To Become Peace Builders MAGPET, North Cotabato— Former NPA supporters and sympathizers successfully completed the Peace Building and Disaster Preparedness Seminar initiated by the 72nd Infantry Battalion and LGU-Magpet here, Monday morning, September 16.
With the theme “Pagkakaisa ng Mamayan Susi sa Kaunlaran”, the four-day seminar was attended by 175 former members of underground mass organizations and Sangay ng Partido sa Lokalidad in the nine barangays where Community Support Program (CSP) immersed.
It can be recalled that CSP were undertaken at Barangays Temporan, Balite, Basak, Bagumbayan, Doles, Inac, Alibayon, Binay, and Del Pilar all of Magpet to address the lingering issues being capitalized by the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) and to clear the said area from the influence of the said terrorist group.
The activity was initiated as part of the continuing program of the government to build up awareness among these affected residents and to purge the communist ideology from their minds. . During the seminar, resource speakers from the different line agencies were invited to share right information and updates on their respected programs in order clarify the propaganda used by the CTG and give the participants better understanding on the services they can provide to the localities. On the other hand, the Disaster Preparedness was also incorporated to hone their skills and capacitate them with the knowledge to develop their disaster resiliency. This was spearheaded by the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office.
In his speech, Mayor Florenito Gonzaga said that the local government of Magpet fully supported the activity because it is geared towards having a peaceful and develop community. He further said that everyone must give their utmost support and cooperation so that the quest for the permanent closure of conflict will be achieved. He also gave the assurance that the LGU will actively partake in the implementation of the programs so that the issues being exploited will be addressed. In his testimony, Hon. Edgar Hantoc, Barangay Captain of Balete, said that they are now enlightened that they were just fooled by the communists. “It is very clear now that we were just used for their personal interest. We became victims and I call on the NPA to stay away from the people. We want peace, give us peace”, he revealed.
Along this line, the nine barangays declared the CTG ‘persona non grata’ in their respective places. Through their resolutions, they permanently cut the allegiance with the said group making them unwelcomed in their communities. As per record, the provincial government of North Cotabato together with its city, four municipalities and 22 barangays had their own persona non grata declaration against the CTG.
Lt. Col. Rey Alvarado, Commanding Officer of 72IB, committed that they will continue to provide assistance to said barangays. “We are your Army. We will continue to give our selfless service to you. It is our mandate to protect you from this group”
Meanwhile, Col. Gabriel C Viray III, Commander 901st Bde, conveyed his heartfelt gratitude to the people who always extend help to make every community free from the threats of the CTG. He stated that the primary reason why the soldiers are being deployed to the localities is to ensure peace and order in the area. He also called for unity so that the peace spoilers will no longer have the opportunity to exploit the situation.
“Ang 901st Bde andam mi kanunay mu tabang kaninyo ug mag suporta sa tanan na programa sa gobyerno para sa kalinaw ug kalamboan”, he added.
Among the highlights of the event were the oath-taking ceremony and the signing of peace covenant presided by Mayor Gonzaga. The said momentous occasion signified that they will no longer be supporters and sympathizers of the communist but rather peace builders who will help in building a better and resilient community.
Division Public Affairs Office 9th Infantry Division Philippine Army
Cpt Joash Pramis
Chief, Division Public Affairs Office, 9ID
Camp Elias Angeles, Pili, Camarines Sur, Philippines
Cell number: 09151434816
email: dpao.9id.pa@gmail.com
[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace by the Philippine Army. It provides information on the activities of Army Units nationwide in the performance of their duty of Serving the People and Securing the Land. This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
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https://www.kalinawnews.com/former-npa-supporters-sympathizers-pledge-to-become-peace-builders/
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