Kalinaw News: Joint activities enlighten villagers on NPA terror activities in Agusan del Norte

Posted to Kalinaw News (Dec 30, 2020): Joint activities enlighten villagers on NPA terror activities in Agusan del Norte



BUENAVISTA, Agusan del Norte – The troopers of the 23rd Infantry “Masigasig” Battalion, in coordination with the local government unit (LGU) of Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte and the Philippine National Police (PNP) conducted series of consultations and dialogues to provide enlightenment to the residents in the area on the realities of the terroristic acts being done by the communist New People’s Army (NPA).

The series of consultations and dialogues were conducted from December 14 to 22 this year in the six (6) communities of Las Nieves town. The activity was supported by the respective barangay councils of said communities and the group of former rebels (FRs) who now support the different initiatives of the government.

The series of activities were designed to address the issues and concerns of residents, particularly on the peace and order situation, the presence of NPA, livelihood, and the plans and programs of the government to bring more developments in the area.

During the activities, the FRs shared their past experiences, especially the hardships they had gone through while they were still part of the communist movement.

“Dili sayon ang kinabuhi sa sulod sa kalihukan kada adlaw nag sige mi og paniid kung aduna bay sundalo nga nag operasyon. Mas lisud na gyud ang kahimtang sa sulod ilabi na karon nga pandemya. Lisud ang pagpasulod sa ilang suporta ilabi na ang pagkaon. Daghan karon sa mga nagalihok sa NPA ang nakasinati og kagutom. Mao nga katong panahon nga naay higayon ni ambak gyod ko og ni boluntaryo nga mo-surrender sa kasundalohan.,” Alias Reyman said in his testimony.

Reyman also encouraged the residents to be united against the NPA terrorists by denying them entry into communities.

“Ayaw mo og too sa ilang mga pasalig kay kita ray giilad nila. Walay maayong kinabuhi sa sulod sa kalihukan. Undangon na nato ang pagsuporta, pagtabang ug pagdawat sa mga miembro sa CPP-NPA,” Reymand.

During the series of activities, the residents themselves admitted of providing support to the NPAs due to fear and intimidation. They said the NPAs usually terrorize residents whenever they are in the community and forcefully submitting the residents to their wills and demands for money, rice, and other necessities.

“Lisod kaayo ang kinabuhi sa mga katawhan kung adonay presensya sa CPP-NPA sa barangay. Dili makalihok ang mga opisyal sa barangay ug dili pud molambo ang komunidad kung magpadayon ang ilang presensiya. Ako, isip usa ka kanhing opisyal ug karaang nanimuyo niining barangay naga-awhag kaninyo nga magkahiusa ug magtinabangay kita aron atong mapanalipdan ang atong komunidad. Hiniusa natong isalikway ang CPP-NPA. Kung nahimo kini sa ubang barangay, nganong dili man nato kini mahimo? Ang pagsalikway sa CPP-NPA para kini sa kalamboan sa atong barangay ug kaugmaon sa atong mga anak,” Tatay Ernesto, one of the residents said during the dialogue.

The barangay officials from the different villages also urged their constituents to support the development initiatives of the government to bring peace and developments in the communities.

One of the barangay officials said that each resident is aware of their roles and responsibilities in promoting peace and development in their respective communities in relation to the implementation of Executive Order 70 (EO70) or the Whole-of-Nation Approach to end the local communist armed conflict. The barangay officials also expressed gratitude to the 23rd IB and the LGU of Las Nieves for the continuing protection they provide to the communities.

Lt. Col. Julius Cesar C. Paulo, the commander of 23rd IB lauded the participation of the different barangay councils of Las Nieves that made the activities successful.

“Your participation in our activities manifested your true intention of freeing and saving your barangays from the influence of the Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs),” Paulo said.

He also asked the villagers of Las Nieves to cut their ties with the CNT and work with the government to address the peace and security concerns in their barangays.

“The absence of cooperation and unity among us has worsened the problem of insurgency. Let us work together to support all government initiatives and facilitate the delivery of programs, projects and services in your communities. Help us by simply providing timely and accurate information on the CNT presence so that we can protect you against their threats. Winning the war against insurgency can only be achieved through combined efforts of the barangay residents and the line agencies of the government,” Paulo said.

With the implementation of EO70, Paulo said government services can now easily be implemented even in the remotest villages of Las Nieves and in the province of Agusan del Norte.

He also reiterated his call to the remaining CNTs in the area to surrender peacefully to the government. “I urge you to abandon the CNT movement, reject its false ideology, lay down your arms and the government will help you as you go on another journey towards the right path of life,” Paulo said.

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