By LITO RULONA
Correspondent .
At least another four barangays in Bukidnon Province have declared Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) as undesirables over the weekend.
Civil Military Office officer-in-charge Capt. Norven Jay Garcia of the 75th Infantry Battalion said the four barangays who declared the rebel forces as unwanted where Barangays Linabo, Lipa, Lumintao, and Sta. Felomina, all in Quezon, Bukidnon.
Garcia said the declaration was spearheaded by the Punong Barangays namely: Luisita Presbitero of Linabo , Gloria Rosales of Lipa, Thelma Aguilar of Lumintao, and Ferdinand Silvestre of Sta. Felomina.
He said along with the barangay chairpersons who signed the statement were 333 members of Hingpit na Organisadong Masa (HOM) who also withdrawal of their support to the communist movement.
The activity was highlighted during the communal dialogue with the presence of different local government agencies. The supporters soon pledged to the government and signed the wall of commitment.
The community dialogue was attended by 88th Infantry Battalion troopers headed by Lt. Col. Frank Fabic, Engr. Florencio Liray of Municipal Planning and Development Office, Engr. Danilo Restipicar representative from Tesda, Forest Ranger Jerry Rapal, Jonathan Doroha representative from DENR, Dexter Jhon Caballes representative from Deped, lawyer John Laro representative from NCIP, Dr. Flores Danlag representative from the Department of Agriculture, Teresa Bangal representative from Media, Mayor’s office, and barangay officials of the barangays.
During the event, the Municipal Health Office also offered medical assistance for common illnesses to the residents.
Fabic welcomed the withdrawal of support by the members of the NPA’s underground mass organizations from the four Barangays, by saying “It is right to turn your backs and withdraw your support to weaken their forces. As you participate today, you have saved yourselves from the trap that could get you in trouble and worse could get you killed.”
In another development, another local member of the NPA belonging to Milisyang Bayan surrendered through the effort of Community Support Team of 88th Infantry Battalion and local government of Barangay Lumintao, Quezon, Bukidnon on the same day.
The rebel identified himself as Jerry Pao Sapra a.k.a. Tikboy, 51, married, and a resident of P-8 Brgy. Lumintao, Quezon, Bukidnon and a member of Milisyang Bayan in the area surrendered to the troops bringing along one home-made shotgun, one magazine, and eight live live shells for a 12-gauge shotgun.
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