WALK FOR PEACE. Government officials, security forces, and the local populace in Bingawan town, Iloilo hold a Walk for Peace on Thursday (Nov. 14, 2019). The activity shows their unity in ending insurgency and the town has formed its Municipal Task Force in Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict and subsequently declared the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army as unwelcome. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Army 61st IB)
ILOILO CITY -- The Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) is no longer welcome in the town of Bingawan, Iloilo.
This, after the local government of Bingawan formed its Municipal Task Force in Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (MTF-ELCAC) and subsequently passed a resolution declaring the CPP-NPA as persona-non-grata on Thursday.
The move of Bingawan town has shown its people's commitment to supporting the thrust of the administration against insurgency, said Lt. Col. Joel Benedict Batara, commander of the Philippine Army's 61st Infantry Batallion, in a phone interview Friday.
"Before the signing of the resolution, all of Bingawan or the local populace has held a Walk of Peace around the town. This just shows that everyone supports our campaign against insurgency," he said.
Resolution number 2 of Bingawan Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC) states the town "is gaining socio-economic advancement but has been affected due to the series of atrocities conducted by the Communist NPA Terrorists".
It added the rebels victimize "not only the security forces but also government and private properties and most of all, defenseless civilians".
Batara said some villages in Bingawan town are affected by the CPP-NPA, being geographically near to Calinog town in Iloilo and Tapaz town, Capiz province which are identified as influence areas of the rebels.
CPP-NPA activities like extortion and recruitment also took place in some areas of the town. By declaring the rebels unwelcome, Batara said the local government unit has shown that it is protecting its youth.
"We know that the youth is vulnerable in the recruitment activities of the rebels and now that they are unwelcome in Bingawan, the youth now are protected," he said.
He called on other local government units to follow suit.
"It is about time that we unite our efforts to attain true peace and further our development," he said.
Earlier, the municipalities of Janiuay and Maasin have also condemned the terroristic acts relentlessly committed by the terrorist group.
The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1086163
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