SAN FERNANDO CITY, April 25 (PIA) – An official of the Philippine Army calls for the members of the New People’s Army (NPA) to surrender to the government amid the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
When he guested at the Kapihan sa Ilocos COVID-19 Special Edition of the Philippine Information Agency on Friday, Col. Audrey L. Pasia, commander of the 702nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army, urged the rebels to abandon their armed struggle.
“Ang panawagan ko po, this is not the best time na mag-away away tayo. Ang atin pong kalaban hindi natin nakikita. Ang nahihirapan ang kapwa natin Pilipino. Magtulungan na lamang po tayo,” said Pasia.
Col. Audrey L. Pasia, commander of the 702nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army, calls for the members of the New People's Army to surrender to the government amid the COVID-19 pandemic. (RMN/PIA La Union)
He recalled that on April 21, the military had encountered with NPA members in Sitio Inuman, Barangay Patiacan in Quirino, Ilocos Sur while some personnel of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) were on their way to distribute cash assistance to the residents.
“We had to clear the area of insurgence para makapasok ang DSWD sa pagbibigay nila ng Social Amelioration Program pero nagkataon po na nandoon din ang mga NPA, so nagkaroon ng engkuwentro. Good enough na walang nangyari sa tropa natin,” the brigade commander informed.
He also said the communist rebels continue their propaganda against the government while the current health emergency exists.
“Sa halip po sana na magsama-sama ang mga Pilipino na bakahin ang COVID-19, ginagawa pang opportunity ng mga taga-kabila para magrecruit, pinapagalit po nila ang mga tao openly o discreetly, and they’re planning na mag-rally sa May 1,” Pasia said.
Instead of continuing their illegal activities, he urged the rebels and their supporters to return to the fold of the law and avail of the benefits from the government under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program or E-CLIP.
E-CLIP offers various assistance to qualified former rebels such as financial, housing, livelihood, and access to government services.
“Handa pong tumulong ang gobyerno. Ang hinihiling lang po dito ay magbalik-loob kayo. Iwasan niyo na ang armadong pakikibaka kasi wala po tayong mararating,” he pressed.
He added: “Huwag na po tayong mag-isip na ibagsak pa ang gobyerno. Kapag bumagsak ito, lahat tayo babagsak.”
“We had to clear the area of insurgence para makapasok ang DSWD sa pagbibigay nila ng Social Amelioration Program pero nagkataon po na nandoon din ang mga NPA, so nagkaroon ng engkuwentro. Good enough na walang nangyari sa tropa natin,” the brigade commander informed.
He also said the communist rebels continue their propaganda against the government while the current health emergency exists.
“Sa halip po sana na magsama-sama ang mga Pilipino na bakahin ang COVID-19, ginagawa pang opportunity ng mga taga-kabila para magrecruit, pinapagalit po nila ang mga tao openly o discreetly, and they’re planning na mag-rally sa May 1,” Pasia said.
Instead of continuing their illegal activities, he urged the rebels and their supporters to return to the fold of the law and avail of the benefits from the government under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program or E-CLIP.
E-CLIP offers various assistance to qualified former rebels such as financial, housing, livelihood, and access to government services.
“Handa pong tumulong ang gobyerno. Ang hinihiling lang po dito ay magbalik-loob kayo. Iwasan niyo na ang armadong pakikibaka kasi wala po tayong mararating,” he pressed.
He added: “Huwag na po tayong mag-isip na ibagsak pa ang gobyerno. Kapag bumagsak ito, lahat tayo babagsak.”
Information Officer III Joanne Namnama P. Dilim of PIA Region 1 anchors the April 24 morning episode of the Kapihan sa Ilocos COVID-19 Special Edition with guests from the Naval Forces Northern Luzon and the Philippine Army. (RMN/PIA La Union)
Further, he encouraged the rebels to lay down their arms and live normal lives with their family amid the coronavirus crisis.
“Sa atin pong mga kasamahan na nasa bundok po ngayon, sa mga kapwa ko Pilipino na naliligaw pa ng landas, huwag na kayong mag-atubili. This is the best time po na bumalik at makasama ang pamilya niyo,” he pushed.
Meanwhile, Pasia acknowledged the efforts and sacrifices of the frontline workers in the fight against COVID-19. (JCR/JND, PIA La Union)
“Sa atin pong mga kasamahan na nasa bundok po ngayon, sa mga kapwa ko Pilipino na naliligaw pa ng landas, huwag na kayong mag-atubili. This is the best time po na bumalik at makasama ang pamilya niyo,” he pushed.
Meanwhile, Pasia acknowledged the efforts and sacrifices of the frontline workers in the fight against COVID-19. (JCR/JND, PIA La Union)
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