Higaonon tribe denounces CPP-NPA, allied orgs

Posted to the Philippine Information Agency (Nov 26, 2019): Higaonon tribe denounces CPP-NPA, allied orgs (By 26IB, Philippine Army)

TALACOGON, Agusan del Sur, Nov. 26 -- A total of 349 Indigenous People (IP) leaders and members of Higaonon tribe from different provinces of Mindanao expressed their support to the Executive Order No. 70 and subsequently declared the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) and its allied organizations as persona non-grata during the conduct of Dumalungdong Festival held recently in Sitio Mahayonhayon, Barangay Guibonon, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur.

The declaration was empowered through Resolution No. 1 initiated and unanimously approved by the tribal leaders during the conduct of the said activity. This was spearheaded by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan member and at the same time the Municipal Tribal Chieftain of Higaonon Tribe, Nilo Manpatilan alias “Datu Saulogan” and witnessed by 1Lt. Don Johnet Dominguez, the company commander of Charlie Company stationed in Poblacion, Esperanza.

Likewise, the said event was initiated by the barangay Tribal Chieftain Edu Casugudan alias “Datu Pukawan” which was attended by the different Higaonon tribal groups coming from the provinces of Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur.

The resolution stated that the Higaonon Tribe has intensified its support and commitment to the current campaign of the government to end local communist armed conflict (ELCAC) for a just and lasting peace. It further stated that due to the presence of CPP-NPA, the Higaonon populace abandoned their homes because of fear which affected their normal daily lives and earnings.

Meanwhile, 1Lt. Dominguez applauded the action of the leaders of the Higaonon tribe in denouncing the CPP-NPA. “The troops of the 26IB are thankful for your cooperation and participation in the government’s move in attaining lasting peace, in support also to the directive of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to ensure safety and security of the IPs from the harmful NPAs. We assure you that the Philippine Army will continue to protect the welfare of the sector,” he highlighted.

Also, Lt. Col. Romeo Jimenea, commanding officer of 26th Infantry Battalion, commended the said action of the Higaonon tribe. “This action only proves that our fellow IPs are already tired of all the atrocities of this leftist armed group. For this, I am calling the attention of the different tribal groups here in Mindanao that it is now the time for us to unite and end the insurgency," he said.

"As mandated to us by our duty, we will assure you that we will truly stand and do whatever we can for the welfare and development of our fellow IPs. With the support of the tribal leaders and all stakeholders, through the implementation of Executive Order No. 70, it is possible for all of us to attain just and lasting peace for sustainable development,” Jimenea added. (1Lt. Percival Carido, CMO officer, 26IB/ PIA-Agusan del Sur)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1030651