Posted to Kalinaw News (Sep 18, 2020): SAKM-LPE Cluster of EO 70 conducts community consultation in Aurora province
LTC REANDREW P RUBIO INF (GSC), Commanding Officer of 91st Infantry (Sinagtala) Battalion, Philippine Army said that the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) 3, Aurora Police Provincial Office (APPO), 91st IB, former rebels, former mass base supporters and other concerned agencies gathered on Tuesday (September 16, 2020) at Dr. Juan C. Angara Sports Complex commonly known as Baler Sports Complex in Barangay Suklayin, Baler, Aurora to orient and increase awareness on Executive Order number 70 of President Duterte to address the root causes of insurgencies, internal disturbances and tensions, and other armed conflicts and threats for inclusive development.
He added that the activity was in line with the implementation of National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) to educate the people on the evils of communism and the knowing the enemy.
“Our activity signifies convergence of efforts among government agencies both local and national in addressing the root causes of insurgency and aware of the mandates of the participating agencies,” he said.
LTC RUBIO furthered that 76 participants who belongs before to the Komiteng Larangang Guerrila (KLG) Sierra Madre and mass base returnees attended in the activity.
The group took pledged of allegiance to the Philippine Flag and also pledge support to Under Secretary Lorraine T. Badoy and to NTF-ELCAC.
They also pledged to reject any form of intrusions by the communist rebels to their communities in this province.
The said participants are former communist rebels and supporters of the CPP/NPA/NDF who ablaze flags of the New People’s Army after they reaffirmed their support for the government on Tuesday.
“Our activity is remarkable and timely in view of our intensified campaign against the NPA that continues to weaken through the loss of support from communities. It made possible without the convergence efforts and support of the barangay, municipal and provincial task force in Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (TF-ELCAC), local officials, the Indigenous People (IP) communities and peace partner stakeholders.
APPO Provincial Director Colonel Raul Siriban said that in the past decades the Philippine government considered insurgency as exclusively a military law enforcement concerns as it continuously wrought havoc on Philippine Society while affecting millions of Filipinos.
“The CPP and its armed wing, the NPA has exploited the popular grievances of economic in equality, land disputes, monopolistic industries, corrupt leadership and an elite class more concerned with its own self-interests than with public good. With the clear and present danger posed by extremists and terrorists, the active engagement of the government’s fight against communist insurgency of the agencies involved and the full support of the community is indispensable to counter communist insurgency. Even though efforts to combat insurgency have been initiated by the government, the community plays significant role to abate the aggressive force of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG). It is fundamental to conduct programs and activities that will establish public trust and rapport to the community in order to save them from being exploited and deceived by the CTG,” Siriban said.
He added that the consultative meeting among line agencies and Local Task Force ELCAC is essential to address the root causes of terrorism and insurgency in the province.
Col. Siriban also urged those who returned to the folds of the law to raise their issues and concerns so that it would be address accordingly.
Governor Gerardo A. Noveras said that the provincial government of Aurora recognized the efforts of the PNP, military and other concerned agencies in pursuit to the peace and stability of this province.
He also said that they recognized the surrenderers who pledged loyalty to the government emphasizing the neutralization of NPA leaders, members and supporters.
“We should avoid lack of communication. Kumbaga sa mag-asawa kailangang nag-uusap upang mabigyan ng solusyon ang problema. We should pave the way for them to provide interventions in order to address issues commonly exploited by the communist rebels especially in areas considered as geographical isolated, disadvantaged and conflict-affected areas (GIDCAs),” Noveras said.
He furthered that the government agencies are committed to relentlessly pursue the remaining communist NPA terrorists (CNTs) who opted not to lay down their arms, the government will not stop to achieve lasting peace.
“Our community has a role and that is to support our government. We assure you that our government particularly our army, PNP and other security forces are here and ready to assist former rebels and their families to transition in becoming productive members of the society. Let us be united to achieve lasting peace in every community,” Noveras said.
703rd Infantry (Agila) Brigade Deputy Commander Colonel Joseph Norwin Pasamonte said that all stakeholders in Central Luzon has different roles in the government’s efforts to reintegrate the former members of the NPA into the society and help achieve just and lasting peace in every community.
“We give importance to our surrenderers. Our government agencies are here for you and widely open for those who wanted peace. We encourage those remaining CPP-NPA to lay down their arms and help the government in building peace and instability to the community,” Pasamonte said.
Chief Regional Intelligence Division (CRID) of Police Regional Office (PRO) Chief 3 Lt. Col. Fitz Macariola manifested full support in the RTF-ELCAC community consultation in this province.
He said the solidarity and cooperation among the different sectors of society and government concerned agencies are here for them and their mission will continue in serving and protecting the people.
“Peace can never be achieved without the help and support of everyone,” Macariola said.
AFP Retired Brigadier General Abraham Claro Casis, representing the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) congratulated the success of the event though the efforts of all concerned agencies.
“September is a “Peace Month”, let us celebrate, peace for all. Let us bring the government closer to the people. Let us condemn the atrocities and lies of the CPP-NPA,” Casis said.
After the program, the RTF-ELCAC conducted general orientation on CTG problem, briefing on the localized peace engagement, and community consultation and problem solving session.
A consultative meeting of SAKM-LPE and provincial/municipal task forces conducted.
Among the major issues and concerns discussed during the open forum are land problem-ownership, issues among indigenous people, problem on health, poverty among the depressed areas, scholarship programs, lack of funds to support additional programs, jobless among others.
The concerned agencies gave initial solutions and advices to the participants to help them to solve their problems.
The consultative meeting was attended by the local government units of Casiguran-Dilasag-San Luis-Baler; Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG); Philippine National Police (PNP); Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP); Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA); Philippine Information Agency (PIA); National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA); Department of Health (DOH); Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR); National Irrigation Administration (NIA); Department of Justice (DOJ); Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD); National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), and Department of Agriculture (DA).
https://www.kalinawnews.com/sakm-lpe-cluster-of-eo-70-conducts-community-consultation-in-aurora-province/
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.