CTF-ELCAC launched in Surigao City village

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 31, 2020): CTF-ELCAC launched in Surigao City village (By Susil D. Ragas)

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Jan. 31 (PIA) -- After the fall of Guerilla Front (GF) 16B due to the mass surrender of key leaders and supporters, the city government of Surigao launched the City Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (CTF-ELCAC) on January 22, 2020 at Sitio Brazil, Barangay Mat-i, this city.

Sitio Brazil was formerly known as the Communist New People's Army Terrorist (CNT) stronghold.

It can be recalled that GF16B, which is led by Pablo Alcansar Logatiman aka Lukas, a native of Sitio Tugunan, Mabini, Surigao City, celebrated the CPP anniversary in the said area on December 2016.

The relentless efforts of Team Surigao del Note led by the provincial government, municipal and barangay level local government units, regional line agencies, civil society organizations, 30th Infantry (Python) Battalion and the whole police force in the province led by the Provincial Police Office, key leaders of GF16B like Commander RD and Commander NO NAME, and their Political Officer alias Wella, surrendered last year.

Their surrender further led to the surrender of other NPA regulars as well as members of the underground mass organizations of GF16B.

To sustain these gains, Team Surigao del Norte further institutionalized its whole-of-nation convergence through the launching of the Task Force ELCAC of Surigao City at Sitio Brazil, Mat-i.

This simple but very symbolic event was led by City Mayor Ernesto "Estong" Matugas Jr, together with the Surigao City Council, Barangay Local Government of Mat-I, national line agencies, Surigao City Police Office, and the 30th IB.

The activity was highlighted with the ceremonial turn-over of livelihood assistance (Cattle Dispersal) to five beneficiaries, distribution of hygiene kits to 120 households from Surigao Metropolitan Water District-Prime Waters and distribution of seedlings.

After the launching program, a “Serbisyo Caravan” immediately commenced providing basic services to the residents.

Said services included dental and medical services, free haircut, supplemental feeding, distribution of slippers and "Lice Alis" packs to the pupils of Lope R. Ruiz Memorial Elementary School, vaccination and deworming, issuance of appointment schedules for the filing of NBI clearance, and the extension of free legal consultation/services.

In his message, Mayor Matugas expressed his utmost gratitude to the partner stakeholders who supported the CTF-ELCAC launching.

“Everyone desires for peace, let us support the EO 70 or Whole-of-Nation Approach of our beloved President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for his action to End Local Communist Armed Conflict in Surigao City,” Mayor Matugas said.

Meanwhile, 30IB Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Jeffrey A. Villarosa congratulated the Team Surigao City for bringing government services to Sitio Brazil, a Conflict-Affected Area (ConAA).

He said the Python Troopers will always be an active partner of Team Surigao City, Team Surigao del Norte, and the peace-loving residents of Sitio Brazil, the most important member of the team.

Villarosa enjoined the residents to be active participants towards their efforts to attain peace and development to their community and insulate their children, their families and their community from the deception and lies of the NPAs.

CTF-ELCAC was institutionalized during the joint City Development Council (CDC) and City Peace and Order Council (CPOC) meeting through the approved joint Resolution No.4, s. 2019 dated September 16, 2019. (30IB, Philippine Army/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1033506