Kalinaw News: Iloilo villages hold peace rally; condemn NPA

Posted to Kalinaw News (Oct 8, 2020): Iloilo villages hold peace rally; condemn NPA

MIAGAO, ILOILO –Two hundred residents from Barangays Pudpud and San Jose of Miagao town in Iloilo gathered together for a peace rally at Barangay San Jose, Miagao, Iloilo on October 07, 2020. The activity, dubbed “Let Us Walk Together for a Peaceful Community”, started with an indignation rally against the CPP–NPA to condemn their terror attacks, recruitment of minors and massive extortion activities.

Participants marched together and loudly voiced-out their sentiments on how the CPP-NPA made their lives miserable by hampering the existence of peace and development. They also expressed that these communist terrorists are no longer welcome and are banned from entering their barangays. Their goal is to have a peaceful community and be free from violence and abuses from these lawless elements. Present in the occasion are the Local Government Unit of Miagao headed by the honorable Mayor. Macario N. Napulan, M.D. and the Army’s 61st Infantry (Hunter) Battalion under LTC Joel Benedict G Batara, its Commanding Officer.

Part of the program was the testimony of a Former Rebel (F.R.) named Jimmy, who shared his worst and miserable experiences while in the armed group. In his testimony, 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”, Jimmy added.

Furthermore, the highlight of the activity was the Signing of the Oath of Allegiance by the formerly influenced residents by the communist terrorist. This was followed by the burning of CPP-NPA Flag to strongly condemn and withdraw their support to achieve inclusive peace and development in their barangay. The last part of the program is the Release of Doves as a symbol of peace and unity to reign in the people’s hearts. Meanwhile, Mayor Napulan stated that “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. 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.”

For his part, LTC Batara, asserted that 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,” Batara said.

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