40 IP families return
home in SurSur
By Lt.
Krisjuper ANdreo Punsalan
TANDAG
CITY, Surigao del Sur, Mar. 6 -- “The tribe went home because the military
assured their safety. If the Army will not be around, we will evacuate (again).
We need the Army to protect us from the Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs),” said
Datu Constancio Duhac, Municipal Tribal Chieftain of Lianga, Surigao del Sur
during the return of 40 families from the tribe in Sitio Simuwao, (Kilometer
9), Diatagon, Lianga, Surigao del Sur on March 5.
After
the CNTs harassed the civilians last February 21, the indigenous peoples (IPs)
at Kilometer 9 have requested the permanent presence of the military and the
establishment of a patrol base in the sitio to drive away CNTs and to establish
the DepEd schools for their children.
It can
be recalled that the CNTs harassed the civilians, as stated in the affidavit of
the wounded civilians, with the intent to execute their playbook, “Taktikang
Bakwit,” which is usually organized by the Malahutayong Pakigbisog Alang sa Mga
Sumusunod (MAPASU) to blame the military, request their pullout and delay
government’s peace and development projects in the area.
As a
result, their planned Taktikang Bakwit backfired on the CNTs and MAPASU.
Instead of gaining sympathy to request the pullout of the Community Support
Teams, their plan resulted to the demand of the IP to further request military
presence in the area to protect them from the CNTs.
“The IP
community is now enlightened. Dati pag nagbabakwit, ang apela nila ay paalisin
ang military para bumalik sila sa community. Ngayon, nakita na nila ang
katotohanan na ang mga teroristang NPA ang naghahasik ng lagim sa komunidad at
hindi ang sundalo. Kaya ang gusto nila ngayon ay huwag ng umalis ang mga
sundalo para maprotektahan sila laban sa exploitation ng mga teroristang NPAs
at mga masterminds gaya ng MAPASU,” said LTC Joey Baybayan, 3rd Special Forces
“Arrowhead” Battalion commander.
The IPs
were assisted by the local government unit of Lianga and Surigao del Sur
provincial government by providing transportation and food supplies for the
whole duration of their temporary evacuation and their eventual return to their
homes while the Army provided security.
“This
is a concrete example of the Whole-Of-Nation approach to end local communist
armed conflict because the military, which belongs to the Peace, Law
Enforcement and Development Support (PLEDS) Cluster and the LGUs under the DILG
belonging to the Basic Services Cluster of EO 70 worked together to provide the
needed services and assistance by the conflict-affected community during this
critical time,” said Col. Allan Hambala,” 401st Infantry Brigade Commander.
Meanwhile,
the IP leaders of Lianga said that this is no longer a tension between the Army
and the CNTs alone. It is now a fight of the IPs, the government, and the whole
Filipino people against the CNTs and their masterminds.
“We
cannot be neutral in the fight against CNTs. Our tribe chose to fight against
the CNTs because we want to put an end to their abuses, exploitation and
atrocities against the IPs. Our lives are in danger and we need the military to
protect our home. Kung sino man ang dapat paalisin sa komunidad, ang mga NPA at
MAPASU, hindi ang gobyerno. Kung aalis ang military, papatayin nila kami dito,
“ exclaimed Datu Jumar S. Bucales, IPMR of Lianga. (3SFBn CMO/PIA-Surigao del
Sur)
Army conducts info drive in
different schools vs NPA recruitment
TALACOGON, Agusan Del Sur, March 6 -- The 26th Infantry Battalion
has intensified its campaign against NPA recruitment in different secondary
schools especially those from remote areas of the four municipalities of this
province, which is under its area of responsibility. The unit conducts info
drive and awareness to students who are the primary target of massive
recruitment by the leftist group.
According to 1Lt. Percival Carido,
the Civil-Military Operations Officer of 26IB, the said info drive is designed
to counter the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People’s Army (CPP-NPA)
youth exploitation particularly students, as well as to educate them and make
them aware of the deceptive propaganda and false ideology of the Communist
Terrorist Groups (CTGs).
“It is very alarming that we
received reports and news from the local and national regarding youths who have
been killed in an encounter between the NPA and military, only to find out that
they are students from known universities who are members of different left
leaning organizations. Since last year, we have been constant in the conduct of
info drive in areas of Talacogon, San Luis, Esperanza and lately, at the La Paz
National High School. We will continue to do it every school year to remind
them,” Carido added.
Arceli L. Hapon, the School
Principal of La Paz National High School, commended the efforts of the
Philippine Army in securing the future of her students. “NPA recruitment in
schools is a gross violation of children’s right under RA 7610. For that, we will
continue to collaborate with the AFP and PNP in protecting our students from
the communist ideology. We are very thankful to our counterpart in mentoring
our students to become an essential member of the community especially in the
pursuit of a long and lasting peace advocacy,” she said.
Likewise, Lt. Col. Romeo C.
Jimenea, the commanding officer of 26IB also commended the consistent support of
the faculty members in the schools for the said activity. “Teachers who are
doing their best in providing education for their students deserve to be
recognized. For this, we are hoping that they should not allow themselves to be
used by the NPA for recruitment activities, agitation and propaganda against
the government for it will affect the sacredness of the school’s main purpose,
to educate children for the betterment of their future,” he said.
Jimenea also appealed to the
Communist Terrorists to spare the children especially students, from their
violent way of life and selfish political ambition. “Give our young generations
a chance to grow up, achieve their aspirations and be successful in life.
Do not use them as your instrument in destroying our nation’s democracy,” added
Jimenea. (JPG/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
Gov’t turns over
water supply system in AgNor
By 1Lt.
Miguel O. Borromeo
CABADBARAN
CITY, Agusan del Norte, Mar. 6 -- The provincial government of Agusan del Norte
with the support of other partner stakeholders conducted recently the turn-over
and oath-taking ceremony on the construction/rehabilitation of the water supply
system level II at So. Cadahondahonan, Brgy. Poblacion 2, Santiago and So.
Ancili Brgy. Puting Bato, this city.
The
said water system projects were funded under the Office of the Presidential
Adviser on the Peace Process- Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (OPAPP- PAMANA)
Program. The said areas were those identified as Communist NPA Terrorists
(CNTs) influenced or the Conflict-Affected Areas (ConAAs) where primary issues
such as problems of water supply were being exploited by the CNTs to deceive
and recruit the community.
Agusan
del Norte Gov. Dale B. Corvera, and Agusan del Norte Rep. Maria Angelica
Rosedell M. Amante-Matba led the turn-over and the oath-taking ceremony.
Gov.
Corvera said he was glad that despite the opposition of the enemies against
peace and development, "the government is still willing to provide us with
wonderful projects such as this. As Filipinos, we should recognize that we only
have one government whom we need to respect and give support to because it’s
only the true government who could help us and not the NPAs.”
Meanwhile,
Rep. Matba assured the public that the government is doing its best to help
them. "But my only appeal is that we all be united in helping our
government because as leaders we cannot do it alone. We need your continuous
help and support also,” she said.
Lt.
Col. Isagani O. Criste, Commanding officer of 29IB, also urged the community to
support the causes of the military.
"But
just as they are pleading as leaders of AgNor, we too are asking and pleading
for your support. How? Simple. Stop supporting the NPAs. Stop feeding them. We
assure you that they will not survive if you will not allow them to enter and
take advantage of the resources in your areas,” he said. (CMO Officer, 29IB,
Philippine Army/PIA Agusan del Norte)
PCW, RGADC nilagdaan
ang partnership agreement sa taong 2020-2022
By
Jennifer P. Gaitano
LUNGSOD
NG BUTUAN, Marso 6 (PIA) -- Sa layung mas mapagtibay pa ang koordinasyon at
magandang relasyon ng Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) at ng Regional
Gender and Development Committee (RGADC) ng Caraga region, nilagdaan ng
dalawang partido ang isang Partnership Agreement na naglalaman ng mga aktibidad
kasama ang ibat-ibang sektor para sa taong 2020 hanggang 2022.
Apat na
pangunahing aktibidad ang target ng PCW kasama ang RGADC. Ito ay ang mga
sumusunod: 1) 2nd Caraga GAD Focal Point System Assembly; 2) Leveling session
para sa mga RGADC Caraga members, regional line agencies at state universities
at colleges sa rehiyon; 3) Leveling session para sa RGADC Caraga members, local
government units ng rehiyon; at 4) Regional orientation on Men Opposed to
Violence Against Women (VAW) Everywhere (MOVE).
Ayon
kay Nharleen Santos-Millar, chief ng PCW-Technical Services and Regional
Coordination Division, patuloy na isinusulong ng komisyon ang women empowerment
at gender equality and mainstreaming sa lahat ng rehiyon, at nang maiwasan ang
mga insidente ng domestic violence sa kababaihan at mga bata, maging ang iba
pang uri ng pang-aabuso sa mga ito.
Kaya
naman suportado ng PCW ang ibat-ibang kampanya at aktibidad ng RGADC sa patuloy
na pagpapalaganap ng layuning ito.
“Suportado
ng PCW ang lahat ng aktibidad ng RGADC lalu’t patuloy din itong tumutugon sa
mga isyu ng mga kababaihan sa rehiyon at nagsasagawa ng inisyatibo para sa
kapakanan ng sektor,” ani ni Millar.
Sa
nalalapit na selebrasyon ng Women’s Month sa Marso, magkakaroon ng Women’s
Summit ng RGADC sa Butuan City, kung saan pag-uusapan dito ang climate change
at epekto nito sa kababaihan at mga bata.
Hinimok
din niya ang lahat ng Caraganons na sumuporta at lumahok sa selebrasyong ito.
“Nananawagan
po kami sa lahat ng Caraganons na maging aktibo sa ating kampanya laban
karahasan at pang-aabuso sa mga kababaihan at sa mga aktibidad ngayong Women’s
Month,” sabi ni MIllar.
Samantala,
nanawagan naman si CHR-Caraga regional director at RGADC chair Atty. Jerefe
Tubigon-Bacang sa lahat ng LGUs na i-reactivate ang kanilang MOVE o ang men
oppose to VAW everywhere campaign.
Isa
aniya itong magandang hakbang upang aktibo rin ang partisipasyon ng mga
kalalakihan ukol sa anti-VAW campaign ng gobyerno. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
