Alagar lauds 2 provinces for declaring Reds unwelcome

By Jigger J. Jerusalem
Correspondent .

CAMP Alagar has welcomed the move of two provinces in the region in declaring the Communist Party of the Philippines -New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) unwelcome in their respective jurisdictions.

In a statement on Tuesday, Brig. Gen. Rafael Santiago Jr., PNP-10 regional director, has commended Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon for standing up to the NPA guerrillas in their areas as he hoped that the other provinces will do the same.

“The police and military cannot do this alone. We need the help of our local government leaders and their constituents in our effort to achieve an insurgency-free Northern Mindanao,” Santiago said.

Lt. Col. Mardy Hortillosa, the police regional spokesperson, said they have been working closely with the local government units and the Philippine Army to ensure that this objective will be attained.

Just recently, the provincial government of Misams Oriental has announced 16 out of 24 towns have now rejected the CPP-NPA and declared them and their affiliated organizations unwelcome, indicating that the Communist rebels are not welcome in their localities.

Those municipalities are Alubijid, Balingasag, Binuangan, Claveria, Initao, Jasaan, Lagonglong, Libertad, Magsaysay, Manticao, Medina, Opol, Tagoloan, Talisayan, Laguindingan, and El Salvador City.

In Bukidnon, the local chapter of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) has passed a resolution during its Sept. 18 meeting declaring the CPP-NPA persona non grata in the province.

Mayor Ozmundo dela Rosa of Malitbog town, who filed the motion declaring the Communist insurgents unwelcome in the province, said as local chief executives part of their mandate is to take action on issues that involve them.

For this part, Mayor Reynante Inocando of Cabanglasan town and LMP-Bukidnon president, said officials have an obligation to protect their constituents.