13 NoCot villages ‘cleared’ of NPA influence

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 18,2021): 13 NoCot villages ‘cleared’ of NPA influence (By Edwin Fernandez)\

‘CLEARED’. The provincial government of North Cotabato has lauded the military report that 13 villages in the province, formerly influenced by communist rebels, are now free from the clutches of the lawless group. Governor Nancy Catamco (center, inset photo) said Thursday (Feb. 18, 2021) basic government services would be fully restored in the villages. (Photo courtesy of NoCot PIO)

Thirteen remote villages in North Cotabato have been “cleared” of the presence and influence of the communist New People’s Army (NPA), North Cotabato Governor Nancy Catamco said Thursday.

Catamco made the statement after meeting with officials of Police Regional Office (PRO) 12 (Soccsksargen) and the Army’s 10th Infantry Division (10ID) at the Provincial Capitol in Kidapawan City on Wednesday.

She said the cleared areas are covered by the End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) program, as validated by the Area Clearing and Validation Board (ACVD) composed of officials of the 10ID, PRO-12, and 72nd Infantry Battalion (IB).

The areas are Bituan, Banayal, Nabundasan, Tuburan, Magbok, and Daig in Tulunan town; and Sto. Niño, Santa Felomina, Luayon, Malasila, Cabilao, Malungon, and Malabuan in Makilala municipality.

Lt. Col Geoffrey Carandang, 39th IB commander and representative of the 10ID, said more government services are expected to come into the villages as part of the interventions.

"The ACVD resolution (in clearing the villages) will be forwarded to (the) Department of the Interior and Local Government,” Carandang said.

Catamco directed heads of provincial government agencies to bring their services to the cleared villages and the remote areas of Arakan, Antipas, President Roxas, Magpet, Kidapawan, Tulunan, and Makilala.

She also asked the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) to provide free copies of authenticated birth certificates initially to 100 villagers for the NAC-LSC (Nagkakakaisang Adhikain para sa mga Cotabateños - Lokal Serbisyo Caravan) program in support of ELCAC.

Catamco said the province would provide additional funds for the free authenticated birth certificates for the next 100 applicants.

The city or municipal government will pay for the third batch of 100 applicants for the documents.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1131060