Continuous debacles plague NPA terrorists in Caraga
By 1Lt.
Krisjuper Andreo Punsalan
PROSPERIDAD,
Agusan del Sur, Jan. 7 – Another Communist New People's Army Terrorist (CNT)
died recently and five high-powered firearms were seized in an hour-long
encounter between the 3rd Special Forces “Arrowhead” Battalion (3SFBn) troops
under the 4th Infantry Division and more or less 30 CNTs under the Sub-Regional
Sentro De Grabidad (SRSDG) Southland, Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee
led by Rizaldy Sumonod alias “Mansoy” in Sitio Paradise, Barangay Magsaysay,
Agusan del Sur.
These
five firearms recovered consisted of three M16 5.56 caliber rifles, one AK-47
rifle.
Other
war materials recovered were: one IHL-banned anti-personnel land mine, nine
rounds 40mm M203 grenade launcher ammos, 50 rounds 7.62mm M60 ammos, two sets
of commercial radios, 15 backpacks and personal belongings, medical supplies
and equipment, three keypad cellular phones, one touch screen android phone,
and 20 meters electrical wire.
The
discovered CNT hideout is about 200 square meters (10mx20m) which can
accommodate more or less 30 CNTs and had 15 makeshift tents and kitchen
paraphernalia.
With
the recent efforts of the National Task Force in Ending Local Communist Armed
Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) in exposing the deceptive scheme and the grand conspiracy
of the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA-National Democratic Front (NDF)
within various sectors of society, people in CARAGA, particularly the
Indigenous Peoples (IPs), vowed to track down Communist NPA Terrorists and
their front group leaders such as the Malahutayong Pakigbisog Alang sa
Sumusunod (MAPASU) to put an end to their countless atrocities and crimes
against the people.
It can
be recalled that CNT Jevilyn Cullamat, daughter of Bayan Muna Representative
Eufemia Campos Cullamat, and top CNT leader and spokesperson of the NDF
Mindanao and Komisyun Mindanao (KOMMID) Alvin Loque, suffered the same tragic
fate last November 28 and December 10 sequentially in Surigao del Sur as a
result of the vigilance and information gathering of the IP communities.
CNT
personalities and their front groups were already declared persona-non-grata in
the whole Province of Surigao del Sur and in the municipality of Prosperidad,
Agusan del Sur where the recent clash between government forces and CNTs
ensued.
“The
succeeding debacles of the NPA Terrorists in Caraga only show that people had
enough of them. They no longer have a safe haven in the IP communities because
for sure they will be reported and tracked down,” said Lt. Col. Joey Baybayan,
3SFBn Commanding Officer.
“We are
saddened with the fact that another victim of the CPP-NPA-NDF died in vain. We
do not want this that is why we need to support the NTF-ELCAC to put an end to
the CNTs’ useless struggle by peacefully addressing the root causes of NPA
terrorism-that of peace and development program implementation for the
conflict-affected and geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas where
CNTs recruit and conduct Ideological, Political and Organizing works (IPOW),”
said BGen. Allan Hambala, 401st Infantry Brigade Commander.
“We
call on the remaining CNTs to bring their firearms and go down to surrender and
return to the folds of law. The door towards a peaceful life is always open for
those who wish to peacefully surrender. Having that said, we will remain
focused and enthusiastic on our mission to end local communist armed conflict
in the soonest time possible in the Caraga region,” underscored MGen. Andres C.
Centino, Commander of 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army. (CMO,
3SFBn/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
Kalahi-CIDSS Caraga hits 100% of NCDDP
community projects for 2020
BUTUAN
CITY, Jan. 7 - The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field
Office Caraga has once again proven that it is one of the top-performing field
offices of the agency in the entire country as it posted a 100 percent
completion rate for its Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan - Comprehensive and
Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) Program, completing all
the 202 target subprojects (SPs) under the National Community-Driven
Development Program (NCDDP).
Kalahi-CIDSS
is one of the poverty alleviation programs of the government being implemented
by DSWD.
Due to
the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Kalahi-CIDSS have adopted the
Disaster Response Operation Procedure (DROP), allowing the program to shift
from developmental activities into a disaster-response modality to immediately
address health issues.
The
NCDDP subprojects are implemented in the local government units (LGUs) of
Tagana-an, Placer, Malimono, and San Francisco in Surigao del Norte province;
Dinagat, San Jose, and Basilisa in Dinagat Island province; and in Madrid,
Bayabas, and Barobo in Surigao del Sur province.
The 202
completed SPs under NCDDP are as follows:
- Construction/Installation of quarantine/isolation
facility - 69 SPs
- Cash for Work – 65 SPs
- Procurement of Disaster Response/Rescue Equipment – 34 SPs
- Procurement of communication device – 7 SPs
- Communal handwash facility – 7 SPs
- Sanitary toilet - 5 SPs
- Refurbishment/conversion of Community Center / Multi-Purpose Building into
isolation facility – 5 SPs
- Refurbishment of school building – 3 SPs
- Refurbishment of day care center – 3 SPs
- Refurbishment of barangay hall – 2 SPs
- Installation of water system – 1 SP
- Capability Building / Training / Feasibility Study – 1 SP
Kalahi-CIDSS Regional Program Coordinator Bennette Dave Calo is thankful to all
partner LGUs and to the Regional Program Management Office and field staff for
the said success.
"To
all our partner LGUs and stakeholders, thank you for your unwavering support
and desire in the implementation of Kalahi-CIDSS NCDDP despite the challenges
and struggles brought by the pandemic," Calo said.
“To all
RPMO and field staff who accept and dares to believe in struggles, thank you
for stepping up in overcoming these challenges. Congratulations on the
brilliant success. Indeed, there is no shortcut to success,” Calo added.
Meanwhile,
eight out of 10 target subprojects for 2020 under the PAyapa at MAsaganang
PamayaNAn Indigenous Peoples Community-Driven Development (PAMANA IP CDD) are
still ongoing.
The
RPMO and Area Coordinating Teams are working overtime to finish these projects
as soon as possible for the beneficiary communities. (DSWD-13/PIA-Caraga)
Army gives gifts to
conflict-affected areas in Agusan Norte
By Cpt.
Joash U. Pramis
KITCHARAO,
Agusan del Norte, Jan. 7 – The Philippine Army through the 29th Infantry
“Matatag Fighters” Battalion (29IB) in partnership with the local government
unit of Jabonga conducted a Christmas drop program in Sitio Apa-apa, Barangay
Bangonay, Jabonga, Agusan del Norte.
The
said activity is a credit initiative of 4th Infantry "Diamond"
Division (4iD) Commander, MGen. Andres C. Centino for the people of
conflict-affected areas to feel that the government cares for them.
The
activity was an integration of various sectors of the government which includes
the Philippine Army through the efforts of 901st Brigade, 29IB and 30IB, the
local government unit of Jabonga led by Mayor Napoleon Montero.
Food
packs, toys, and clothes were distributed to more than 200 residents of Sitio
Inayaw and Sitio Apa-apa, Jabonga, Agusan del Norte.
Marwin
Serrano, punong barangay of Sitio Apa-apa, thanked the army for the gifts they
have received. “Akong dakong pasalamat kay ania ang mga kasundaluhan niduyog ug
nanghatag ug regalo diri sa amua, nga ilaha ming gitagaan ug saktong pagtagad
labi natong mga lumad. Daghan kaayong salamat (I am very grateful that the troops
are here to join and give gifts here in front of us, who have given us the
proper attention especially our natives. Thank you very much),” he said.
"On
behalf of LGU Jabonga, we are very thankful to the Philippine Army that they
chose Brgy. Bangonay to this program," added Mayor Montero.
According
to Col. George Banzon, 901 Brigade Commander, the said activity is their
continuous plan to manifest and make the people feel the spirit of Christmas.
"This is not just about the efforts of our soldiers alone, we, the
soldiers are just instruments of the government to deliver all of these,"
Col. Banzon said.
"Along
with the hope of Mayor Montero, I am appealing to you if you know someone,
friends, and classmates in school who are deceived by the NPAs to go with them
and join them in moving into the mountains for their armed struggle, please let
us save them. Let us neglect our friends who are deceived by twisted words, by
twisted promises,” he added.
Col. Banzon emphasized that the residents can ask for help and in return, the troops are ever willing to help those whoever will seek help. (CMO Officer, 901 Infantry Brigade/PIA Agusan del Norte)
