TACLOBAN CITY – The public outcry against the New People’s Army (NPA) in San Isidro, Leyte is a big boost to the campaign of the Philippine Army against the communist terrorist group in the province.
Brig. Gen. Louie Dagoy, commander of the 802nd Infantry Brigade, said he is optimistic that with strong public support for the government’s development efforts, the rebels will abandon their ideology.
“Calling all the remaining members and supporters of communist terrorist NPA to return to the folds of the law and live peacefully together with your family,” Dagoy said in a statement on Sunday.
“The government is sincere in its efforts to help former rebels who will return to the folds of the government and be reintegrated to the mainstream of our society. Financial and livelihood assistance are extended as determined by the Joint Validation and Authentication Committee,” Dagoy added.
The official made the statement a few days after the conduct of peace rally and signing of the pledge of commitment by stakeholders in a gymnasium in San Isidro town.
The highlight of the event is the burning of the flags of the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA-National Democratic Front by San Isidro residents as a way of condemning rebel’s atrocities in the northwest part of Leyte province. Nearly a thousand residents joined the peace rally on August 5.
The military also handed over completed projects under the Community Support Program (CSP) in selected villages of Calubian and San Isidro towns.
CSP deployments are meant to facilitate the government’s development programs by hearing issues and concerns of villagers and bring this to the attention of concerned government offices.
The government officials present during the activity were Board Member Corazon Remandaban; San Isidro Mayor Remedio Veloso; Calubian Mayor Marciano Batiancela, Jr.; key Sangguniang Kabataan (youth council) officials; and representatives from the Visayas State University – Villaba campus, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office; Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Agrarian Reform, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.
Officials presented some existing programs meant to improve the lives of people in impoverished communities.
Government forces have been stepping up efforts against the NPA, who is expected to continue its recovery of former guerrilla zones and bases in Leyte Island.
The NPA, which has been waging a five-decade armed struggle against the government, is considered as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (PNA)
