AGSUR TRIBAL CHIEFTAINS CONDEMN CNTS, AFFIRMS SUPPORT TO END ARMED CONFLICT

Residents and former supporters of the Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs) condemned the deception and atrocities of the armed group and confirmed their support to Executive Order 70 during the conduct of Pulong- pulong in Barangay Lydia, La Paz, Agusan del Sur on August 17, 2021.

The said pulong-pulong was part of the continuous dialogue to the different tribal chieftains and local populace with the purpose of informing the locals on the deceptive tactics and propaganda of the CNTs and at the same time bring the government closer to them. This activity also assists in informing the concerned agencies on the identified issues and concerns of the locals which are being exploited by the CNTs in order to agitate them and further join the armed movement.

A total of six tribal chieftains and 50 locals from the Banwaon and Manobo Tribes attended the said activity spearheaded by Hon. Antonio Piquero, Barangay Lydia Chairman, together with the MLGOO, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), local government unit, Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR), and other concerned agencies.

One of the highlights of the said activity was the reaffirmation of the tribal chieftains to condemn the CNTs and the manifestation of their support to Task- Force ELCAC that empowers the passage of government programs and initiatives to attain an inclusive and sustainable development in the community.

“Isip usa ka lumolupyo dri sa Brgy Lydia, ako mag- awhag sa tanan nga dili na kita magpailad pa sa

mga NPA nga mag ingon nga sila ang sundalo sa kabos, kay kung tinoud man na, ngano bisan isa ka proyekto o programa wala gani sila nahimo ug hinoon sila pa’y mangguba ug magbabag sa mga proyekto nga gihatag sa atoa sa gobyerno diri sa atong kumonidad nga maoy makatabang unta sa atoa para sa atong panginabuhi, ug ngano nga ang mga NPA, makigbahin pa sa atoang gamay nga abot sa atong panginabohi, imbis nga sila ang muhatag sa atua kung tinood man gane nga sundalo sila sa kabos (As a resident of Barangay Lydia, I encourage everyone to prevent themselves from the deceitful acts of the NPA making them believe that they (NPA) are the soldiers for the poor, because if that is true, why do they cause destruction of government’s projects for the communities instead of creating same. And why is it that they take portion of what we get instead of giving us what we need),” a certain Jaime said during the open forum.

Hon. Jose Pendon, IPMR of LGU-La Paz also condemned the CNTs’ exploitation of the locals, particularly the natives who were the most vulnerable targets of the black propaganda and false ideology of the communist against the government. “Isip inyong IPMR sa lungsod sa La Paz, ginadasig ko kamu nga atong suportahan ang mga programa sa atong gobyerno tungod kay kita gihatagan ug katakos sa kumonidad alang sa pagpaabot sa atong mga tingog ngadto sa lokal ug national nga panggamhanan. Ug gani naa tay opisina sa munisipyo para sa mga parehas sa ato nga nitibo nga atong masaligan aron mapaabot nato ang atong mga mulo ug panginahanglan sa labaw nga panggobyernohan. Kay wala’y laing makatabang sa atoa kundi ang gobyerno lamang, dili kanang mga NPA (As your IPMR here in the municipality of La Paz, I urge everyone to support the programs of the government because we are given the opportunity to raise our concerns to the local government. We even have an office intended for us, Ips because nobody else could help us but only the government and not the NPAs),” he said. Reynald Romel A. Goce, Commanding Officer of 26IB, applauded the local populace of Brgy. Lydia, especially the different tribal chieftains and sitio leaders for realizing the true color and motives of the CNTs. He also commended the local government and other concerned local agencies for their undying support to EO 70 and to the Philippine Army. “The Army welcomes the creation of the TF-ELCAC because it greatly empowers the organization through its collaboration with the different agencies in attaining an inclusive and sustainable peace and development. We are very grateful that all of us in the government are doing our best to address and to achieve our common goal,” he stated.

“The insurgency is not the sole responsibility of the men in uniform. Rather, it is a collective effort of all government agencies to end it. Remember that the CNTs are using issues in agriculture, environment, labor and more in order to agitate the populace. It is but a must to work hand in hand to make EO 70 achieve its mission,” added Goce. (2Lt Jerica Alyanna Franz Dacanay, acting CMO officer, 26IB, PA/PIA-Agusan del Sur)