OFFICIALS from the Army’ 23rd Infantry Battalion and local government of Las Nieves town in Agusan del norte including the villagers gathered late last week for a peace dialogue, military officials said today.
"The dialogue is for peace and development in the area," said Army's 4th Infantry Division public affairs chief Major Rodulfo Cordero.
The dialogue also discussed the “anti-people activities” of the New People’s Army (NPA), said Cordero.
The dialogue was held at Barangay Durian of the said town even attended by some of the groups supporting the Communist Party of the Philippines.
Cordero clarified that the said supporters who attended were known for providing food, finances, information on the whereabouts of the government forces, and other forms of support to the NPA rebels.
“It has been 51 years of senseless killings. The government wants peace and development," said Cordero.
The residents and the local officials don’t want the gains of progress and development of Las Nieves town to be wasted.
23IB civil-military officer 1st Lieutenant Roel Maglalang said a peace and consultation dialogue with the residents on November 6, 2020.
Maglalang said the activity also discussed the primary issues and concerns of the residents.
Among the issues are on land, the recruitment of the communist rebels among the youth, peace and order situation and other related matters, said Maglalang.
Magalang said that during the forum, residents openly voiced their concerns about the security situation in their barangay.
Some residents admitted they were forced to support the NPA because of fear, according to Maglalang.
Maglalang said the residents said that they were threatened by NPA combatants and warned of repercussions once they declined to give support to the communist movement.
"Those who experienced harassment and intimidation from the NPA are those residing in the remote areas of the barangay," Maglalang said.
Meanwhile, Las Nieves Mayor Avelina S. Rosales assured the residents of Durian of the continuing support of the LGU, to the line agencies, and the Army.
"Constant delivery of basic services, livelihood opportunities to the residents and addressing the different issues that are being exploited by the NPAs are assured," said Rosales.
Rosales even thanked the soldiers for protecting the residents of Durian from the threats of the CPP-NPA.
“Together, we can build a strong, peaceful, and resilient community here in Durian," said Rosales.
Defeating the insurgency is a shared task of the stakeholders and the community members, according to Rosales.
She said residents are also bound to protect their community from the encroachment of the CPP-NPA.
“Magkahiusa kita ug magtinabangay para makab-ot nato ang kalinaw nga dugay na nato nga gipangandoy,” Rosales said.
“Together, we can dismantle the political and military organization of the CPP-NPA Terrorist Group here in the locality," said 23IB commander Lt. Col. Julius Cesar C. Paulo.
Paulo also reminded the residents to be cautious in joining progressive groups and organizations who are just pretending to provide help in the community.
"Let us work together in restoring peace in our area. We must not allow any group to sow havoc in our community,” Paulo said.
Paulo said that these so-called progressive groups are fronts of the communist terrorist groups.
"Their main objective is to agitate people and promote communist vested interests," said Paulo. (Ben Balce)
