Kalinaw News: Former UGMO members participate in Peace Building Seminar initiated by the LGU, Army in Kitaotao, Bukidnon

Posted to Kalinaw News (Sep 9, 2021): Former UGMO members participate in Peace Building Seminar initiated by the LGU, Army in Kitaotao, Bukidnon



ARAKAN, COTABATO – The Local Government Unit of Kitaotao, Bukidnon in collaboration with Army’s 72nd Infantry “Gabay” Battalion formally opened the 3-Day Peace Building Seminar (Live-in) to 80 residents who were identified as former members of Underground Mass Organizations (UGMOs), sympathizers/supporters organized by the Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs) coming from the barangays of Cabalantian, Sagundanon, Calapaton, and White Kulaman held at Covered Court, Barangay Cabalantian, Kitaotao, Bukidnon on September 08, 2021, and will culminate on September 10, 2021.

The said live-in seminar with the theme “Pagkakaisa tungo sa Mapayapa at Masaganang Pamumuhay” aims to give the participants sufficient knowledge and information on current social, economic, health, and political awareness on the different plans, projects, and programs of the Government for them to avail. The 3-Day Peace Building Seminar will be steered thru a series of lectures, discussions, group activities, workshops, and consultations; and a sort of Deradicalization Program for them to be re-oriented and re-directed from the communist ideologies and wrong beliefs. It will be facilitated by the representatives from the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Kitaotao, Local Government Agencies (LGAs), Philippine National Police (PNP), and from the Philippine Army (PA).

Further, the activity was the culmination of the Community Support Program (CSP) Immersion of 72IB in the 13 barangays of Kitaotao which will later be sustained by the Local Government by supporting the organized People’s Organizations of each barangay. These POs were former UGMO members, supporters/sympathizers of the Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs) that will be part and essential components of the Barangay-Based Institution (BBI) and the Integrated Territorial Defense System (ITDS) of their respective barangays.

As part of the implementation of Executive Order (EO) 70 in institutionalizing a “Whole of Nation Approach” in attaining a peaceful and conflict-resilient community in the municipality and the strong commitment and unending support of the Local Government of Kitaotao headed by Hon Lorenzo Gawilan Jr, the participants will be provided with necessary materials and financial support particularly for the meals, snacks, and transportation/fuel during the whole duration of the seminar.

“Our barangay is very fortunate to host such peace initiative activity of our Government. I strongly urge everyone to maximize everything we will learn in this seminar and totally eradicate in our minds and hearts the wrong beliefs and ideologies perpetrated by the CTGs. Let us all focus on achieving a just and lasting peace in our respective barangays. In doing so, we will surely achieve the development we all long for.” Hon. Thelma Hilaria, Barangay Captain of Barangay Cabalantian said in her message.

In addition, Hon. Geofrey Gawilan, Barangay Captain of Barangay Sagundanon said in his message, “Let us not put into waste the efforts and dedication of our Army in helping us to attain lasting peace and prevent further infiltration and recruitment of CTGs in our barangays. Let us not be fooled by the false beliefs and promises of the NPAs. Let us end our struggle against insurgency. Thus, we must first start in our barangays.” He ended.

In response, Maj Elesio Marcolino Jr, Executive officer of 72IB, expressed his deepest gratitude to the untiring support of the local officials and other agencies that worked together in making the activity possible. He assured that 72IB will give its best effort to help the constituents of Kitaotao in achieving lasting peace and facilitate the development effort of the LGU.

The Barangay Captains of the four (4) barangays, YFPM TALBOS; and troops and officers of 72IB also attended the ceremony.

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https://www.kalinawnews.com/former-ugmo-members-participate-in-peace-building-seminar-initiated-by-the-lgu-army-in-kitaotao-bukidnon/