Monday, October 21, 2019

NPA surrenderers to receive E-CLIP benefits in Surigao Sur

By 1Lt. Krisjuper Andreo Punsalan

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Oct. 21 -- The Surigao del Sur provincial government led by Governor Alexander T. Pimentel has enrolled 36 former rebels to the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) to avail of the cash benefits and sustainable livelihood programs on October 10, 2019 at the 7th Special Forces “Spartans” Company (7SFC), 3rd Special Forces “Arrowhead” Battalion (3SFBn) headquarters in barangay Mararag, Marihatag, Surigao del Sur.

The rebels surrendered to the 7th Special Forces Company (7SFC) sometime in 2018 and 2019 and were validated through the Joint AFP and PNP Intelligence Committee.

Some of the programs of the E-CLIP include modified conditional cash assistance, sustainable livelihood programs, cash for work, assistance to individuals in a crisis and protective services for individuals and families.

Alias Arnel, one of the beneficiaries, called on the communist rebels to follow their path and abandon their armed struggle to end the local communist armed conflict.

“Surrender na tayo sa gobyerno. Wala tayong kinabukasan sa pagsama sa CPP-NPA-NDF. Sila ang matagal na nanloko at sumira sa buhay natin at pamilya. Tingnan ninyo kami ngayon, sana magsurrender narin kayo para maging maayos na ang inyong buhay at makasama ang inyong mga pamilya,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Surigao del Sur’s declaration of persona-non-grata against Communist NPA rebels boosted the province’s implementation of the Whole of Nation Approach to end the struggle of the communist armed and political front groups as stated in the Presidents’ Executive Order 70. (3SFBn CMO/PIA-Surigao del Sur)

Another AgNor town declares NPA persona non-grata

By 1Lt Nonette B. Banggad

CABADBARAN CITY, Agusan del Norte, Oct. 21 -- The municipality of Kitcharao in the province of Agusan del Norte heeded President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s call to obtain a lasting peace by recently signing a resolution declaring Communist New Peoples Army Terrorists (CNTs) as persona non-grata (PNG) and created a task force that would End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) held at the municipal hall, Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte.

The said municipality is one of the Conflict-Affected Areas (ConAAs) in the whole area of operation of the 29th Infantry “Matatag” Battalion.

The said event was graced by Municipal Mayor Aristotle E. Montante together with Vice Mayor Leo D. Galua and attended by other Sangguniang Bayan (SB) members and Barangay Captains of the said municipality. The highlight of the event was the reading and signing of the Joint Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC) and Municipal Development Council (MDC) Resolution No.1 for the creation of Municipal Task Force (MTF)-ELCAC and Resolution MG-036 Series of 2019 for the declaration of persona non-grata as duly adopted and attested by the whole members of the board of SB in the said municipality.

According to Vice Mayor Galua, the creation of the task force that would end local armed conflict and the declaration of PNG was anchored on the Executive Order (EO) 70 mandated by no less than President Duterte, an order which must be obeyed. "Just as a soldier who is obliged to follow orders without questions and hesitation, so we must do the same,” he said.

Mayor Aristotle E. Montante thanked his constituents for their support and courage, which they have shown during the recent declaration.

“Dako kaayo akong pasalamat sa gipakita nga suporta sa tanang katawhan nga nagmaisugon sa ilang pagdeklara ug Persona non-Grata ug pagporma niining Task Force- ELCAC. Maninguha kita nga mawala na kining mga kagubot dire sa atong lungsod para atong makab-ot ang kahusay ug kalinaw kay kung walay kalinaw, walay puy kalambuan (I am deeply grateful for the support and courage which you all have shown in declaring (the CNTs) Persona Non-Grata as well as the creation of this Task Force- ELCAC. Let us, therefore, do all we can to end this conflict in our area so that, we can attain peace and development. For assuredly, there will be no development if there will be no peace)," he said.  (CMO Officer, 29IB, PA/PIA Agusan del Norte)

Mga senior citizen-PDL sa mga piitan ng Surigao City, sinurpresa

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Oktubre 21 (PIA) - Dala ang mga regalo, sinurpresa ng mga miyembro ng Regional Inter-Agency Committee on Senior Citizens (RIAC-SC) Caraga ang Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) na  senior citizens sa Surigao City Jail at Surigao del Norte District Jail.

Kabilang sa kanilang mga natanggap ay personal hygiene kits, food packs, at maging blood sugar testing at flu vaccination mula sa Department of Health (DOH).

Lubos ang kanilang pasasalamat lalo na at ito ang unang pagkakataon na may organisasyong bumisita sa kanila at nagbigay ng mga regalo sa loob ng piitan.  

Ayon kay Jail Officer Lawrence Ortega, ang shift-in-charge ng Surigao City Jail, kabilang sa kanilang prayoridad ang masiguro na maayos at malusog ang mga PDL-senior citizens.

Umaasa din siyang magpatuloy pa ang ganitong aktibidad at marami pang mga organisasyong ang magbibigay tulong para sa mga senior citizens.

Dagdag pa ni Ortega, kinakailangan din aniya ng  PDL-senior citizens ang sapat na supply ng gamot at vitamin supplements para sa kanilang mga karamdaman.

“May mga gamot naman na regular na ibinibigay sa mga PDL, kaso sa dami din nila dito, kulang pa rin. Kaya nananawagan kami sa mga gustong tumulong na maaari rin silang magbigay donasyon,” pahayag ni Ortega.

Samantala, hiniling din ni Jail Chief Inspector Felix Resullar ng Surigao Del Norte District Jail sa gobyerno na tulungan ang mga PDL-senior citizens ng kanilang piitan sa pagpapabilis ng proseso ng kanilang mga kaso.

“Mas napapahaba ang kanilang pagpanatili sa piitan dahil sa mabagal nap ag-usad ng kanilang mga kaso sa korte,” sabi ni Resullar.

Nagkaroon din ng pagkakataong maipaabot ng mga PDL ang kanilang mga tanong o concerns tungkol sa mga programa at serbisyo ng mga ahensiya at nais din nilang makabenepisyo sa mga ito. 

Ang Surigao City Jail ay may kabuuang mahigit 600 PDL habang mahigit 300 naman sa Surigao del Norte District Jail. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)