Residents join Army’s peace forum, vows full support to ELCAC programs

From the Philippine Information Agency (Feb 8, 2021): Residents join Army’s peace forum, vows full support to ELCAC programs (By Joyah Mae C. Quimoyog)

GREGORIO DEL PILAR, Ilocos Sur, Feb. 8 (PIA) - - In order to raise awareness on the recruitment tactics of Communist Terrorist Groups (CTG) and scheme of organizing the masses in the barangays, the Philippine Army, along with the police and local officials conducted a peace forum with some residents of Gregorio Del Pilar on February 5.

At least 50 barangay officials, tanods, and residents from the seven barangays of the municipality, observing minimum public health standard protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19, have attended the said forum.

Initiated by the Army’s 81st Infantry (SPARTAN) Battalion (IB), 702nd Infantry (DEFENDER) Brigade, topics discussed during the forum include the government's ongoing fight against terrorism and insurgency, and the benefits for former rebels and members of Militia ng Bayan (MB) such as the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Livelihood Integration Program (E-CLIP).

Instructional and informative videos in connection with President Rodrigo Duterte’s Executive Order No. 70 that institutionalizes a “whole-of-nation approach” were also presented during the gathering.

“The essence of the 'whole-of-nation approach' is the involvement of everybody, all sectors of our society, especially our front liners, the people in the vulnerable communities. Educating them and enhancing their awareness against the evils and deception of the Communist Terrorist Group is one of our important tools in ending the local communist armed conflict in the province,” said Lieutenant Colonel Rodrigo A. Mariñas, Jr., Commander of the 81st IB.

A former rebel also shared his testimony and experiences to enlighten the residents on the deception of CTGs to recruit vulnerable sectors.

A covenant signing denouncing the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) as terrorists and declaring them as persona non grata in the municipality was conducted afterwards led by Mayor Henry S. Gallardo, Lt. Col. Mariñas, Jr., 702nd Brigade Civil-Military Operations Officer Major Rogelio A. Dumbrigue, Ilocos Sur Police Provincial Office Provincial Intelligence Officer Police Lt. Col. Ariel C. Celino and Chief Provincial Operations Management Unit Police Major Rodel U. Ularte, GDP Police Station Officer-in-Charge Police Lt. Rodel Marzan, and the barangay officials.

PEACE FORUM: Some barangay officials of Gregorio Del Pilar, Ilocos Sur sign the peace covenant and resolution declaring the CPP-NPA as persona non grata in their town. (Photo by the 81st IB Philippine Army)

Moreover, the forum was conducted to seek the support of all residents on the programs and advocacies under the present administration in preserving peace and freedom from insurgency and CTGs.

In his message, Mayor Gallardo told the residents, “What the Philippine Army, Philippine National Police and DILG brought here for this activity is the solution to the problem that we are facing. If we had in any way been doing something before for those on the other side, let’s stop it already. I encourage you to, instead, support our government agencies on this campaign. ”

With the theme, “Unity and Solidarity for Peace and Development of our Communities”, the forum was held in coordination with the Peace and Law Enforcement Development Support (PLEDS) Cluster of the municipal task force to end local communist armed conflict (MTF-ELCAC) of Gregorio Del Pilar. (JCR/VHS/JMCQ,PIA Ilocos Sur)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1066251