Kalinaw News: IP leaders unite with Army to end insurgency in Agusan del Norte, Misamis Oriental

Posted to Kalinaw News (Dec 6, 2020): IP leaders unite with Army to end insurgency in Agusan del Norte, Misamis Oriental

The Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representatives of the Higaonon and Manobo tribes in the provinces of Agusan del Norte and Misamis Oriental, backed by more or less eighty tribal leaders of the said provinces met with the top officers of 23rd IB, led by Lt. Col. Julius Cesar C. Paulo on Friday, December 4, at the unit’s headquarters in Barangay Alubijid, Buenavista town and forged a partnership with the Army’s 23rd Infantry “Masigasig” Battalion to launch a series of campaigns against insurgency in their respective communities.

The IP leaders who joined the strengthening of commitment and forging of the partnership came from the towns of Las Nieves, Buenavista, Nasipit, Carmen and Butuan City, in Agusan del Norte, and from Magsaysay and Gingoog City in Misamis Oriental.

Datu Bawang Eddie S Ampiyawan, the IPMR of Agusan del Norte discussed the prevailing issues and concerns of the IPs in the province, that includes the security of every IP community against the threat from the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG). To further strengthen and empower the IPs, Datu Bawang moved for the creation of a tribal council that will be named “Masigasig, Higaonon and Manobo Tribal Council” with designated heads, including a chairman, vice-chairman, and council members.

He pointed out that the selected officers of the council must be knowledgeable and well-rounded leaders who are capable to carry on some responsibilities such as the monitoring of the problems of the members, the dissemination of important information, to stand as counselors to the existing problems and to bridge the issues and concerns of the IP communities to the government. He also emphasized that through the new council, the IPs can build a strong bond with each other for their protection and in the upholding and defending the rights of every IP and their ancestral domains.

“Magtinabangay kita ug padayon natong palig-onon ang atong tribu aron atong mabuntog ang kaaway. Dili kita mopadaog ug mo kompyansa sa mga NPAs kay grabe na sila ka traydor ug ka bakakon. Dili ta magpadaog sa ila kay kung mawala ta, looy ang atong komonidad,” Datu Bawang said.

Datu Bawang also emphasized: “Pinaagi sa pagmugna ug tribal council, patas na ang pagpa abot sa mga impormasyon sa mga tribal leaders ug mas molig-on ang pagdumala sa mga IPs ug mabuntog na nato ang kaaway ug pinaagi ani makab-ot nato ang tinuoray nga kalinaw ug kalambuan.”

He also thanked the 23rd IB for the support to the IP communities in Agusan del Norte and Misamis Oriental.

“Dako akong paslamat sa kasundaluhan sa 23IB kay maayo ang ilang pagdumala ug mitabang sila sa pagpanalipod sa kinabuhi sa mga tribu nga adunay hulga gikan sa mga NPAs. Nakita usab nako nga nagkahiusa ug adunay silay nindot nga relasyon sa lokal nga panggagamhanan ug nahimo kining tulay aron nga mapaabot ang suporta ug sa LGU padulong kanato,” Datu Bawang said.

Lt. Col. Paulo, in return, expressed gratitude to the IPMRs and tribal leaders in the two provinces for their continuing support to all of the activities, plans and programs of the 23rd IB.

“We are always proud of the tribal groups here in Agusan del Norte and Misamis Oriental because of the bravery and the unity they showed. Your efforts have created a great impact on dismantling the armed group because you helped us in neutralizing and preventing the CTGs from conducting atrocities in our area of operations,” Paulo said.

He stressed that a number of high ranking CTG leaders and members have already surrendered to the government. Some were apprehended by the AFP and PNP, including the finance officers that are authors of the wide extortion activities in the area.

“We, your 23IB army will double our efforts to build great walls in the boundaries within our Areas of Responsibility (AOR) so that the CTGs can no longer enter in your communities and so that the dismantled Guerilla Fronts will no longer have the chance to recover,” Paulo said.

He also expressed optimism on the continued support of the IPs to all the activities of the Army, the line agencies and the local government units (LGUs) in the two provinces.

“Let us help one another in ending insurgency so that there will be no more families destroyed and no more lives will be lost,” Paulo said.

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/ip-leaders-unite-with-army-to-end-insurgency-in-agusan-del-norte-misamis-oriental/