Caraga stakeholders tackle strategies,
mechanisms for EO 70 implementation
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, July 15 (PIA) -- Led
by the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), the member-agencies of
the Regional Task Force – Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict or (RTF-ELCAC)
convened and discussed the strategies and mechanisms to intensify the
implementation of Executive Order No. 70 or the whole of nation approach to end
insurgency in Caraga region.
According to Director Manuel
OrduΓ±a of NICA, government agencies should work together in identifying the
issues and concerns in the communities, as well as the root causes of armed
conflict, and address all these. Planning on specific ways and means should
also be determined in order to achieve peaceful resolutions and sustainable
development.
He also said that the task force
would strengthen the areas covered under the peace and development zones, where
government’s programs and services will continuously be provided to them. The
needs of the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) would also be given due attention as they
are the ones directly affected by the conflict caused mainly by the new
people's army.
Capt. Aldim Viernes, civil
military operations officer of 401st Brigade, Philippine Army emphasized that
they have constant engagement and development activities with the IPs.
Meanwhile, in the field of communication,
Capt. Viernes highlighted that the army in Caraga would continue to enhance
their skills on the responsible use of social media and other platforms in
disseminating relevant information, including the accomplishments of the task
force, so people would not be deceived by the false information and propaganda
which the communist-terrorist groups circulate online. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
PopCom, partners to address RH, fertility
concerns
By Nora L. Molde
BUTUAN CITY, July 15 (PIA) –- With
the aim to address reproductive health and fertility concerns among the growing
children – the adolescents of the region, the Commission on Population (PopCom)
Caraga has partnered with different government agencies, civil society
organizations and church.
PopCom Caraga Regional Director
Alexander Makinano is hopeful that with the partnership, the adolescents will
help the adolescents become responsible especially in saying no to early sexual
activity to prevent teenage pregnancy.
According to Makinano, the
partnership has a started a year ago and they are looking forward for a result
a year from now with the hope that there will be no unplanned pregnancy among
our teenagers in future.
“As of now, teenage pregnancy is
increasing in both rural and urban areas as per Philippine Statistics Authority
Demographic Survey Result,” Makinano said. However, urban areas are higher in
cases compared to the rural due to unregulated accessibility pornographic
materials including social media access of young people, he said.
“The higher the exposure among our
growing children to pornographic materials, the higher the probability they
would engage in sex,” Makinano added.
Makinano also said that there is a
resolution by the Caraga Regional Development Council requesting government
offices concerned to closely supervise, monitor and even restricts the minors
especially during school hours from using the internet, and not allow owners to
maintain closed cubicles in their internet cafes.
Moreover, Makinano said that
parents still hold the responsibility to monitor their children’s activities.
Meanwhile, Department of Health
Caraga regional director Jose Llacuna, Jr. said that giving the right health
information is very important. He urges partner media, the press to disseminate
the correct information on health especially on family planning. The government
is doing its part in providing good health but it is the responsibility of
every individual to maintain it, he said. (NCLM/PIA Caraga)
2 NPA
terrorists killed in Agusan del Sur
BISLIG CITY, Surigao del Sur, July
16 -- Two terrorists New People’s Army (NPA) were killed in clash with the
government troops in Barangay Bunawan Brook, Agusan del Sur at 3:45 p.m. on
Sunday, July 14, 2019, after the 75th Infantry Marauder Battalion (75IB)
conducted security operations in the area due to the reports of the concerned
citizens on the presence of armed men in Sitio Sta Monica, Bunawan Brook,
collecting money and foodstuffs to the residents.
The 15-minute clash erupted after
the NPA fired upon the patrolling soldiers while clearing the vicinity of the
Sitio Sta. Monica, which resulted to the death of two terrorists and the
recovery of one Norinco AK 47 rifle, one M16A1 rifle, one Cal. 45 pistol, one
hand grenade, empty magazines of AK47 and M16, backpacks and personal items,
while there was no reported casualty on the government side.
According to Lt. Colonel Jaime
Datuin, commanding officer of 75IB,the encounter was the result of the joint
efforts of 75IB and the concerned residents of So. Sta Monica.
“Without the efforts of the
residents themselves in giving us timely and accurate information, we cannot
pinpoint the exact location of these terrorists. And because of that, we were
able to decisively engage them, stopping them on their extortion activities to
the residents, and preventing them to conduct more atrocities in my Area of
Operations,” he said.
Based on the report, the two
terrorists killed belonged to the NPA’s Weakened Guerrilla Front 14 under
Arnold Orlanes Conejar, alias Jorlan, operating in the boundary municipalities
of Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur.
“We will continue to intensify our
security operations in the Brigade’s Area of Responsibility to neutralize the
remaining members of this terrorist NPAs to boost the confidence of our local
government units in facilitating the localized implementation of EO 70 in the
province. We now have three neutralized NPAs and four high powered firearms
recovered just this week, and I strongly believe, this will send a strong
message to these terrorists,” Colonel Allan Hambala, commander of 401st
Infantry Brigade, pointed out.
“Avail now of the government’s
amnesty initiative or die later. You are free to choose,” Col. Hambala added.
The cadavers were brought to
Dolete Funeral Homes in Trento for identification and proper disposition.
(75IB, PA/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
Farmers’ group disowns CNTs
By 1Lt Roel Maglalang
BUENAVISTA, Agusan del Norte, July
16 – Members of Unyon ng Mag-uuma sa Agusan del Norte or UMAN, a known New
Peoples Army (NPA) allied organization, recently disowned the Communist Party
of the Philippines (CPP) New Peoples Army (NPA) Terrorists or CNT group and
took their pledge of loyalty and allegiance to the government during a Peace
Consultation Dialogue held in Barangay Bitan-agan, Butuan City.
In a dialogue initiated by the
Barangay Council of Barangay Bitan-agan, in partnership with the local
government unit of Butuan City and the 23rd Infantry (Masigasig) Battalion,
more than 150 UMAN members, NPA supporters and residents of Barangay
Bitan-agan, Butuan City have denounced their support to the CNTs.
The dialogue was aimed to address
the issues raised by the residents and the former members of UMAN in the said
area. Some of the issues discussed include he security of land tenure;
livelihood and employment; youth recruitment; and peace and order, among
others.
The UMAN is an organization used
by the CPP-NPA Terrorists to recruit farmers as its source of manpower, finance
and logistics. Members are being made to pay dues with a promise to give them
the lands that they are tilling.
According to Joseph (not his real
name), “Kung nakahibalo lang mi sa una na mao ang tomong sa UMAN, wala mi unta
nag-apil. Nagpasalig sila na tagaan mig yuta. Kinsa bay dili ganahag yuta busa
niapil mi nila. Pero, nabutang hinuon mi sa kasamok. Paningkamutan namo na
mausab among kinabuhi pinaagi sa mga programa sa atong gobyerno (If we only knew
the real intent of UMAN, we could not have joined them. They promised to give
us land so we joined them, only to find ourselves lodged in turmoil. We’ll do
our best to straighten up our lives through the programs of our
government)."
After taking their pledge of
loyalty and allegiance to the government, they took an oath to disown UMAN, end
their support to the CPP-NPA-NDF, and not to succumb to any group who will
organize and take advantage of them.
Meanwhile, Lola Agnes, a former
rebel (FR) and the National President of People’s Advocacy for Collaborationand
Empowerment (PEACE), which is an organization of FRs, explained the deception
strategies and tactics of the CNTs in recruiting their members.
“Hangga’t may armado sa lugar
ninyo, hindi kayo uunlad. Hanggang kailan ba matatapos ang patayan na walang
saysay? Kung talagang para sa bayan pinaglalaban ng mga NPA, bakit nila
sinisira ang mga tulay at gusali na itinayo ng gobyerno? Bakit sa loob ng
singkwentang taon wala silang naitayong paaralan, tulay, kalsada, health
centers o kahit mamigay man lang ng mga gamot? Mamulat na tayo sa katotohanan.
Huwag na tayong magpaloko at magpagamit sa komonistang NPA," she said.
Moreover, Lt. Colonel Francisco
Molina Jr, Commanding Officer, 23IB encouraged the former members of UMAN and
CNT supporters to stop supporting the CNTs.
He said “Akong giawhag ang tanan
na dili na mag-apil-apil sa grupong UMAN og magsuporta sa Teroristang CPP-NPA.
Kung inyo ning ipadayon mabutang lang sa piligro ang inyong kinabuhi. Walay
maayong mahatag ang Teroristang CPP-NPA kung dili kadautan og kagubot (I
encourage everyone not to join UMAN anymore and support the CNTs. It will not
give you good but only destroys and makes your lives miserable)," Molina
added.
In his statement, Col. Maurito
Licudine, 402nd Brigade Commander said "the trend of shift of support is
the result of the convergence of effort being orchestrated and initiated by the
local government leaders. The game changer in addressing the insurgency problem
here in Caraga."
Lastly, Col. Licudine emphasized
that with the Executive Order No. 70, the government shall prioritize and
harmonize the delivery of basic services and social development in the
conflict-affected areas and vulnerable communities facilitate social inclusivity
and ensure participation of all sectors. (NCLM/CMO Officer, 23IB, 4ID, PA/PIA
Agusan del Norte)
