Iloilo villages hold peace rally against CPP-NPA

From the Philippine Information Agency (Oct 9, 2020): Iloilo villages hold peace rally against CPP-NPA (By Lilibeth A. French)

ILOILO CITY, Oct. 9 (PIA) - - Some 200 residents from Barangays Pudpud and San Jose of Miagao town in Iloilo held a peace rally on October 7 to condemn the terror attacks, recruitment of minors and massive extortion activities of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).

The activity dubbed as "Let Us Walk Together for a Peaceful Community" was held at Barangay San Jose, Miagao, Iloilo, according to a media report released by the 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division of the Philippine Army based in Camp Monteclaro, Igtuba, Miag-ao.

According to the report, participants marched and loudly voiced out their sentiments on how the CPP-NPA made their lives miserable by hampering the existence of peace and development.

They said that the communist terrorists are no longer welcome and are banned from entering their barangays as they intend to have a peaceful community - free from violence and abuses from the lawless elements.

A former rebel named "Jimmy" shared his worst and miserable experiences while in the armed group during a program held during the activity.

He said he was made to believe that the government is corrupt and only an armed revolution is the solution to the problem. Since then, he has only experienced hardship, hunger, and sleep deprivation because of endless walking and hiking in the mountains.

"Ginhimoan nanda ako senaryo, ginsunog nanda ang bagon ni Nismal dyan sa kipot tapos ibantugon nga ako nagsunog darwa kami kabata ko, amo to naging wanted ako sa pulis. Mayad kay may nakilala ako nga opisyal sang 61IB nga brad ko man sa Iglesia kag gindala na ako sa campo kag naghambal ang mga opisyal nga buligan nanda ako” (They made a scenario for us, they put the blame for the burning of a truck of Nismal on my son and me, thus we were wanted by the police. It so happened that I know an official of the 61IB who is my brother in the Iglesia who brought me to the military camp where the officials told me that they will help me), said Jimmy in the press release.

The Signing of the Oath of Allegiance by the former communist influenced residents also highlighted the activity which was followed by the burning of CPP-NPA Flag which showed that they strongly condemn and withdraw their support to achieve inclusive peace and development in their barangay.

Releasing of doves, as a symbol of peace and unity to reign in the people's hearts, capped the activity which was attended by the local government unit of Miagao headed by mayor Macario N. Napulan, M.D. and the Army's 61st Infantry (Hunter) Battalion under LTC Joel Benedict G Batara, Commanding Officer.

"To the people of Miagao, to those who are here today, who have been a victim of the CPP-NPA, do not be hesitant, do not have doubts, our Philippine Army is here, the local government officials of our town is here, and they are showing their full support so that we can achieve what we aim for,” said Napulan.

He added “Ang akon lang ginapangayo kaninyo, parapet kamo, indi naton masarangan kung mga barangay officials lang, parapet kamo sa banwa kay para manginmarapit man kami sa inyo, ginatinguwaan ko nga magparapit kaninyo. Kay wala nani sang katapusan ang ila nga systema gani tyempo ron dya kag tapuson naton. Mabuhay ang banwa kang Miagao! Mabuhay ang kalinong kag katawhay kang banwa naton! Ibagsak ang CPP-NPA" (What I am asking for is that you come to us, barangay officials cannot do it by themselves, come to the town so that we will also get close to you, I tried to get close to you. Their system has no end in sight so that it is time that we put an end to this. Hail, municipality fo Miagao! Hail peace and order of our town! Down with the CPP-NPA).

For his part, Batara asserted that insurgency could not be solved by the military and police alone, thus the need to push for the realization of E.O. 70, which institutionalizes the "Whole of Nation" approach to address the root causes of insurgency.

"I encourage everyone to get involved and be part of the solution. Neutrality and being silent about this issue will definitely favor the tormentor, and not the tormended. Today, I thank everyone for making a bold stand of denouncing the CPP-NPA existence,” said Batara. (3rdID-PA/JSC/laf/PIA6 Iloilo) 

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1055593