Another AgSur town declares CPP-NPA persona non-grata

From the Philippine Information Agency (Oct 11, 2019): Another AgSur town declares CPP-NPA persona non-grata (By 26IB, Philippine Army)

TALACOGON, Agusan del Sur  – The municipality of Esperanza, Agusan del Sur has denounced the communist NPA terrorist and its allied organizations and subsequently declared them as persona non-grata on Monday, October 7, 2019.

The declaration took effect when the local legislative council headed by Vice Mayor Eric Rey G. Siohan passed and unanimously signed Resolution No. 273 series of 2019 during the conduct of their 9th Regular Session of 20th Sangguniang Bayan (SB) held at the SB Session Hall of the said municipality.The said resolution states that the Communist Party of the Philippines – New people’s Army (CPP-NPA) and its leaning organizations have long been identified with the main ideology of replacing the democratic system of the government into communism.

The locals expressed that the presence and activities of the communist terrorists have been a problem of the entire nation and considered a threat to national security as they instill fear to people in the communities, recruit new members and sow terror to investors as well as killing members of Indigenous Peoples (IPs), barangay officials and civilians who contradict their propaganda.

In a statement, the Municipal Mayor Leonida P. Manpatilan said, “This is our contribution and our way of doing our part in the intensified campaign of the national government to end the five decades of communist armed conflict in the entire nation.”

“Rest assured that our municipality will continue to project good governance by way of addressing the issues and problems of the community in connection to the implementation of Executive Order No. 70,” she added.

Likewise, Lt. Col. Romeo Jimenea, commanding officer of 26th Infantry Battalion, said that the resolution is in line with the DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2018-211 or the Prohibition of Support to Left-Wing Rebel Groups, and Executive Order No. 70, which creates the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.

“I commend the legislative bodies and the whole municipality of Esperanza for initiating and signing resolution No. 273 and declaring the CPP-NPA as persona non-grata,” Jimenea added.

The official further said that Esperanza is now prepared to attain long lasting peace and development and is eager to participate in the socio-cultural and economic programs of the government. This will give its people a chance to have better and peaceful lives. (1Lt. Percival Carido, CMO officer, 26IB/PIA-Agusan del Sur)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1028570