CLAVERIA, Misamis Oriental- A total of 250 leaders out of 1500 members of Underground Mass Organization (UGMO) withdrew their support to the Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs) and vowed allegiance to government during a Peace Rally held at the Covered Court of Don Restituto Baol Central Elementary School, Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental yesterday, October 21, 2020.
The activity was made possible through the joint effort of the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Gingoog City, Gingoog City Police Station (CPS), City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO), and the Army’s 58th Infantry “Dimalululpig” Battalion under the leadership of Lt. Col. Ricky L Canatoy.
The former mass supporters who were fed up with the lies and deceptions of the NPA came from different affected communities in Gingoog City such as Brgy Lunao, Santiago, Agay-ayan, Brgy 29, Brgy 24, Brgy 26, Kipuntos, San Luis, San Juan, Punong, and Binakalan.
The highlight during the activity was the burning of CPP-NPA flag which signifies their withdrawal support and at the same time, the Oath of Allegiance to government which also denotes their full support to the campaign against insurgency. This was followed by the signing of commitment and support of the people of Gingoog to the government’s peace programs.
During the activity, Mr Leopoldo Regis, a former mass organizer shared his experiences on how he was deceived for 18 years and how he struggled on bringing the issues of their communities in rallies hoping for it to be resolved as what the NPA had promised. However, he was disappointed after realizing that all were false promises and he was only used for organizing associations that will go against the government.
“We are grateful to the Community Support Program (CSP) teams of 58IB and the LGU Gingoog City for their efforts in reaching us, for making us realized the deceptions and exploitations of the CPP-NPA. Now, there will be no more support to the NPA while we are in full support to the government in attaining lasting peace,” said Regis.
In his message, Hon. Erick Cañosa, Municipal Mayor said, “We are peace partners and rest assured that we will give our best effort to drive away these pests from all the communities so that we can achieve peace and development of our beloved city.”
Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Ricky L Canatoy, Commanding Officer of 58IB said, “This peace initiative symbolizes the empowerment of the affected communities to fight against terrorists. Moreover, this is a challenge for the Local Chief Executives to strengthen their efforts in resolving issues and concern of their constituents in order to prevent them from being exploited and deceived by the CTGs.”
The said activity was concluded by a march protest rally in which participants were raising placards with messages denouncing NPA infiltration and messages supporting the government’s campaign against insurgency.
[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]
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