The scheme continued but failed again for Bayan Muna representatives, Eufemia Campos Cullamat and Carlos Isagani Zarate with the militant group, Malahutayong Pakigbisog Alang sa Sumusunod (MAPASU) to compel the Surigao del Sur provincial government to withdraw the Community Support Teams assigned in Sitio Simuwao (Kilometer 9), Diatagon, Lianga, Surigao del Sur.
During the peace dialogue held on Monday, Oct. 21, 2019, the provincial government cited that military presence is crucial to further establish sustainable peace and development in the area through Executive Order No. 70.
The peace dialogue was intended to promote reconciliation, convergence, sustainable peace and synergy through exploratory and consultative discussions with the community, concerned government agencies including AFP and other sectors. Yet, MAPASU and Bayan Muna insisted on their demand for the immediate pullout of all Community Support Teams and discrediting the government’s Whole-of-Nation Approach to End Local Communist Armed Conflict citing that it is not the right formula to end the conflict in the community.
The military, as an observer, never said a word but a clear and straightforward message of the province through Gov. Alexander Pimentel summed it all.
“With all due respect, I must tell you frankly, only President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), can order the Army personnel to move anytime and anywhere when needed. They have a mission to fulfill in line with the Whole of Nation approach to end local communist armed conflict that is very crucial to our national security,” Gov. Pimentel said.
The presence of the military is not the issue, said the governor. He encouraged all attendees to move forward and focus on far more relevant issues such as education, health, and economic, among others and let the military do their mandate and sworn duty to serve and protect the Filipino people from the Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs).
MAPASU and Bayan Muna discredit EO 70 and the AFP
The Bayan Muna and MAPASU members have strongly opposed the peace and development initiatives of E.O. 70 and cited rehash false and malicious accusations against the military.
The governor challenged them to tell all, “Sabihin ninyo at ituro ngayon kung sino ang sundalo na nandito sa KM 9 ang nagcommit ng violation at ipatanggal ko agad o paalisin dito,” he said.
Datu Constancio Duhac and Datu Jumar Bucales said, “Only those who are connected with the Communist NPA terrorists fear the Army. If you’re not in any way connected, there’s no reason to fear the military.”
The Lianga Indigenous People's (IP) Council members under their legitimate IP Political Structure were dismayed to Bayan Muna, ”We thought they would support ELCAC (End Local Communist Armed Conflict), but then again, they were not here for convergence, they are here to discredit the military and the EO 70 peace initiatives,” they said.
Nevertheless, despite Bayan Muna and MAPASU’s accusations, the Army personnel did not retaliate and showed respect. It is the local government and the IP Community who stood on their ground to defend the presence of the military in the conflict-affected area. (1Lt. Krisjuper Andreo Punsalan, CMO-3SFBn/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1029087
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