Army celebrates human rights day with children
By 1Lt.
Krisjuper Andreo Punsalan
BAYUGAN CITY, Agusan del Sur, Dec.
10 -- While militant groups conduct mass rallies and protests in the streets
exploiting minority groups as propaganda fronts, the 3rd Special Forces
“Arrowhead” Battalion (3SFBn) celebrates the Human Rights Day with the Agusanon
children from all walks of life in a Christmas party held on Tuesday (Dec. 10)
at the 3SFBn headquarters in Barangay Noli, this city.
“We stand to uphold human rights
as we put premium to the welfare of our youth because they are the most
vulnerable sector in any conflict. Last December 2, Litboy Talja Binongcasan, a
grade 6 student from Gingoog City, was killed in an encounter in Agusan del
Norte," said Lieutenant Colonel Joey Baybayan, 3SFBn commanding
officer.
"A clear proof that the
New People’s Army (NPA) terrorists violate the international humanitarian law
(IHL). We cannot afford to let this happen again to any of our children,” he
added.
It can be recalled that the
Commission on Human Rights (CHR) condemns the use of NPA child warriors saying
that it constitutes a war crime. "The boy (Litboy) was still in his
development years and should be focusing on honing his potentials so he can
pursue his goals and dreams but his life was snuffed out and can no longer be
taken back,” bared Jacqueline de Guia, spokesperson of CHR.
“Putting children in the
battlefield imperils and endangers them. Even if they survive armed encounters,
the psychological and mental impact can be lifelong," De Guia added.
“The NPA terrorists’ horrible and
deceptive youth recruitment is one of the issues being addressed by the local
task forces to end local communist armed conflict. We urge the nation, and even
militant groups, to open their eyes and see the brutal effect of the 50 years
existence of communist insurgency. If we love our country, let us support the
whole-of-nation approach to end the useless communist armed and political
struggle caused by NPA terrorists and their front groups,” said Colonel Allan
Hambala, commander of 401st Infantry Brigade.
Meanwhile, militant and
anti-government groups are again set to conduct their usual rallies to falsely
accuse the government and the military of any human rights violations even, in
fact, the military is currently busy spending their time bringing smiles to a
hundred children through fun games and gift-giving to celebrate the Human
Rights Day and stand against to those who violate it. (CMO officer, 3SFB/
PIA-Agsusan del Sur)
CDA-Caraga binigyang-diin ang kahalagahan ng
kooperatiba sa mga magsasaka
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Disyembre 10
(PIA) -- Patuloy ang panawagan ng Cooperative Development Authority (CDA)
Caraga sa mga magsasaka, maging sa mga mangingisda na bumuo ng kooperatiba para
mapaunlad pa ang kanilang kabuhayan.
Ayon kay CDA-Caraga regional
director Genaro Pogata, Jr., maraming benepisyong hatid ang pagkakaroon ng
kooperatiba alinsunod na rin sa Republic Act 9520 o ang Philippine Cooperative
Code of 2008.
“Meron silang makukuhang
pribelihiyo sa ilalim ng Republic Act 9520. Isa na diyan yung tax exemption
privileges. Ang ating gobyerno rin ay nakatuon sa pagbibigay serbisyo sa mga
marginalized sectors tulad ng farmers, fisherfolks at maliit na entreprenuers
upang mapaunlad pa ang kanilang sektor,” saad ni Pogata.
Malaki ang aming pasalamat dahil
sa malasakit ng gobyerno sa aming mga magsasaka at sa aming kooperatiba. Sa
ngayon ay napapakinabangan namin ang makinaryang hatid ng gobyerno tulad ng
combine harvester, four-wheel tractor at kuliglig,” pahayag ni Edwin Aluag,
presidente ng Baan Integrated Farmers Association sa Butuan City.
Nanawagan din si Bertoldo Besere
sa kanyang mga kasamahang magsasaka na maging aktibo sa kooperatiba upang mas
lumago pa ito at makabenepisyo sa mga programa ng gobyerno.
Giit din ni director Pogata,
nagkakaisa ang mga ahensiya ng pamahalaan para tugunan ang mga pangangailangan
ng nasabing sektor. May mga programa din aniya ang gobyerno para sa tulong
pinansyal at teknikal ng mga magsasaka at mangingisda.
Dagdag pa ng opisyal, sa ilalim ng
programang mindanao peace and normalization, ang mga kooperatibang nakatutok sa
rice production ay tinutulungan ng gobyerno upang mas mapadali ang
"milling" process ng kanilang mga ani sa pamamagitan ng pagbigay
makinarya at nang mas lumago pa ito.
Ito ay bahagi rin sa ginagawang
hakbang ng gobyerno sa implementasyon ng Executive Order 70 ni Pangulong
Rodrigo Duterte na layong wakasan ang insurhensiya sa bansa sa pamamagitan ng
mabilis na pagbibigay ng naayon na tulong sa bawat komunidad. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
House Committee approves creation of Forest
Studies Center in Butuan
BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 10 -- In support
of the government's efforts to conserve and sustainably use our valuable forest
resources, the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education approved on
December 2, House Bill No. 4490 which pushes for the creation of the Forest
Studies and Development Center (FSDC) at Caraga State University, this city.
According to Agusan del Norte and
Butuan City Rep. Lawrence "Law" Fortun, the main proponent of the
bill, the FSDC will serve as a very important complement to the Sustainable
Forest Management Bill, which he too authored and was recently approved by the
Committee on Natural Resources.
The FSDC will also aide the
government in its ongoing National Greening Program, which Rep. Fortun thinks
has failed to meet its supposed targets due to the lack of study and research.
The CSU is being pushed to host
the FSDC because Caraga Region is considered the "Timber Corridor" of
the Philippines. It produces about 70% of the country’s log output and is home
to most forest species endemic to the country. Rep. Fortun stressed that the
FSDC should be right where the forests are, that is, in Caraga Region, hence
CSU is most strategic.
Rep. Fortun added: “It is safe and
logical to assume that aside from its effective program and very competent
faculty, one of the reasons why CSU graduates have been topping, even
dominating, forestry board exams, is their wider and actual exposure to the
forests in which, although already affected by decades of abuse, are still more
abundant that any part of the of country.” (Lawig Katawhan/PIA Agusan del
Norte)
SurSur PRLEC prepares communities for EO 70 implementation
By Lt. Krisjuper Andreo Punsalan
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Dec.
10 -- The Poverty Reduction Livelihood and Employment Cluster (PRLEC) of the
Surigao del Sur Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict
(PTF-ELCAC) led by the Provincial Technical Education and Skills Development
Authority (TESDA) conducted a dialogue recently aimed to prepare the residents
and indigenous peoples (IP) community of Barangay Mahaba in Marihatag town for
the all-out implementation of Executive Order No. 70 (EO 70) next year in Andap
Valley Complex.
With this activity, the residents
of the conflict-affected communities would become aware of the government’s
peace and development efforts towards ending the insurgency. Barangay Mahaba is
one of the gateways of the Andap Valley Complex, a traditional route of the
CPP-NPA terrorists (CNTs) along with the sitios of Barangay Diatagon.
The dialogue included the
presentation of the community’s poverty, livelihood and employment-related
issues raised by the community through the Community Support Program (CSP)
conducted by the 7th Special Forces ”Spartans” Company of the 3rd Special
Forces Battalion (3SFBn). CSP is a mechanism of the EO 70 to identify basic and
social services delivery issues used by the CNTs to agitate, organize and
mobilize the tribes to advance their terroristic activities in the hinterlands.
Present in the dialogue were
support agencies from Department of Agriculture, Provincial Tourism Office,
3SFBn, Surigao Provincial Police Office, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic
Resources, Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PHILFIDA),
Philippine Coconut Authority, Department of Education, Department of
Environment and Natural Resources, National Food Authority, Marihatag local
government unit (LGU) led by Mayor Justine Marc L. Pelenio and the chief of
staff of the Office of Congressman Prospero “Butch” A. Pichay, Jr., Surigao’s
1st district representative.
Following dialogues to other identified
peace and development zones (PDZs) will also be scheduled within this month.
Initial livelihood support to the
community will be the provision of abaca seedlings to help increase their farm
production and output. Falcata and coffee farming will also be provided by the
concerned agencies. Aside from farming, TESDA and PHILFIDA will provide
livelihood skills training to further increase their productivity and to make
them more resilient.
On other concerns, the community
requested the DepEd to speed-up the process for the construction of IP
government schools so that they can transfer and abandon the alleged
CNT-affiliated schools of Tribal Filipino Program of Surigao del Sur (TRIFPSS)
and Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development
(ALCADEV).
DepEd representative Danilo
Alcantara said that the IP communities in Andap Valley Complex were included in
their Last Mile School Program which will facilitate the construction of
complete school facilities which will provide a better quality education for
the IPs.
According to a rebel surrenderee,
the MAPASU group, a left-leaning organization and an alleged front organization
of CNTs with their underground contacts in some LGUs, continuously hampers the
implementation of EO 70 because the CNTs will lose their mass base making it
difficult to sustain their food supplies and makes them more easily detected by
the government forces.
The Department of Interior and
Local Government (DILG) continuously reminds elected and appointed government
officials on Republic Act 10168 known as the “Terrorism Financing Prevention
and Suppression Act of 2012" prohibiting any political, moral and
financial support to the communist rebels. If elected officials are found
guilty, penalties and sanctions will be imposed as prescribed by law. (3SFBn.,
CMO/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
Free quality seeds to Butuan rice farmers
By Rhea C. Abao
BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 10 -- Quality
rice production starts with quality seeds.
The use of high-quality seeds is
what the Department of Agriculture (DA), its bureaus and agencies see as a key
factor for sufficiency, profitability, and competitiveness of rice production.
The DA – Philippine Rice Research
Institute – Agusan distributed the 8,590 bags (20kg/bag) certified rice seeds
for free to rice farmers in Butuan City in cooperation with the City
Agriculture Office.
The distribution is headed by Dr.
Genevieve A. NemeΓ±o, DA-PhilRice RCEF Focal Person and Engr. Pierre Anthony
Joven, Butuan City Agriculturist.
A total of 4,295 hectares of rice
land in the city is expected to be planted with quality seeds.
Having a disability did not stop
Jerry M. Libago, 47, from being present during the second batch of the seed's
distribution.
Four years ago, Jerry, had an
accident while he is on the farm which affects his ability to walk.
According to him, he spent around ₱1,500 to buy 40 kg rice seeds for
a hectare.
"The low buying price of
palay, which is ₱15 – ₱16 and the high cost of farm
inputs affected our income. But through the free certified seeds we availed,
this is a big help for us, rice farmers," he shared.
In time, for this cropping season,
farmers like Jerry will breathe a sigh of relief as they receive free certified
seeds under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) – a support
mechanism for our rice farmers affected by Rice Tarrification Law.
In Caraga, 27 cities and
municipalities from the provinces of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, and
Surigao del Sur will receive a total of 79,818 bags of certified seeds.
The three provinces are among the top 57 provinces with high potential for
improving competitiveness.
Rice farmers registered in
Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) will be given the top
five high performing varieties accepted in the region such as NSIC Rc 222, 216,
160, 18 and 286.
According to Dr. NemeΓ±o same
activity has been conducted in the three provinces which started in November
until January 2020. (DA Caraga RAFIS/PIA Caraga)
Another rebel killed, firearms recovered in
AgNor clash
By 1Lt. Roel T. Maglalang
BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 10 -- A New
People’s Army (NPA) terrorist was killed in a clash in the hinter area of Sitio
San Jose, Barangay Durian, Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte at 8:05 a.m. on
Wednesday, Dec. 4.
At the same time, several
high-powered firearms, food supplies, medicines, and subversive documents were
recovered by troops of the 23rd Infantry Battalion (23IB), Philippine Army.
The 23IB troopers under the
supervision of Lt. Col. Francisco Molina Jr., commanding officer, encountered
more or less 40 NPA terrorists believed to be members of Guerilla Front 4A,
North Central Mindanao Regional Command (NCMRC) under Eddie Mangubat alias
"Weds."
The firefight lasted for about 15
minutes, after which the enemies scampered towards Northeast direction. The
said encounter resulted in the recovery of one NPA dead, one AK-47 Rifle, two
M16 Rifle, four Laptops, one Generator, 21 backpacks, two sacks of rice, food
supplies, medicines, subversive documents and other personal belongings. Traces
of heavy bloodstains are also visible in the withdrawal route which indicates
that there were members of Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs) who suffered severe
wounds.
The recovered cadaver of the dead
CNT was turned over to the Barangay Council of Brgy. Durian, Las Nieves, Agusan
del Norte for identification and proper disposition.
Meanwhile, LTC Molina extended his
deepest sympathy to the bereaved family of the dead CNT. “This is the result of
the deception and manipulation of CNT leaders to their members. The members
risk their lives fighting for the false ideologies and propaganda, but their
comrades just left them when they needed them the most," he said.
"Once again, we urge the
remaining members of the CNTs to go back to the mainstream society while you
still have a chance. We are always willing to help you to live a normal
life and we will never hesitate to assist you in availing the
Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) for you to start a
new life. But if you will just neglect our call, your 23IB soldiers will never
stop pursuing you as we want peace to prevail in the communities who wish to
live peacefully," he added. (CMO Officer, 23IB, PA/PIA Agusan del Norte)
Minor NPA killed, high-powered firearms
recovered in Army clash in AgNor
By 1Lt. Roel T. Maglalang
BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 10 - The army
troopers of 23rd Infantry (Masigasig) Battalion (23IB), Philippine Army under
the operational control of 402nd Infantry Brigade encountered recently a group
of CPP-NPA Terrorist (CNTs) in the hinter area of So. Salvacion, Brgy Manila de
Bugabos, this city.
The army troopers received reports
coming from the concerned civilian residents about the presence of armed men in
their barangay. The responding troops immediately proceeded to the area and
conducted focus military operation and encountered more or less 20 CNTs
believed to be members of Guerilla Front 4A, North Central Mindanao Regional
Command. The firefight lasted for about 15 minutes after which the enemies
scampered towards Southwest direction.
The said encounter resulted in the
recovery of one dead body, two AK-47 rifles, one M16A1 rifle, one M16A1-RMC
rifle, five civilian backpacks, two bandoleers, six magazines of AK-47 rifle,
five magazines of M653 rifle subversive documents and other personal
belongings. Heavy bloodstains were also visible in the withdrawal route which
indicates that there are still members of CNTs who suffered severe wounds while
there is no casualty in the government side.
Moreover, the recovered cadaver of
the slain NPA was turned-over to the Barangay Council of Barangay Manila de
Bugabos, Butuan City headed by Punong Barangay Jhonryl B. Denuro for proper
disposition and burial. Unfortunately, the slain rebel identified as Litboy
Binungcasan, 16 years old, and a resident of Sitio Siohan, Barangay Malinao,
Gingoog City.
Emalyn Binungcasan, sister of late
Litboy, expresses her resentment to the CNTs for recruiting her brother. “I was
saddened because he said he will just apply for a job but he did not come back
for a couple of months. We didn’t know that he was already recruited by the
CNTs. I hope that the leaders of CNTs will stop recruiting and deceiving
innocent civilians for their personal interest," she said.
Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Francisco
Molina, Commanding Officer, 23IB, extends his deepest sympathy to the bereaved
family of the slain CNT. “Another young innocent life was lost because of the
deception done by the heartless NPAs. If only the members of the CNTs heed to
our call for them to go back to the mainstream society, this incident should
not have happened," he said.
He also extends his gratitude to
the concerned residents who provide information regarding the whereabouts of
the CNTs. “I am so glad that many of the civilians support us in ending
insurgency. Your 23IB soldiers will never get tired in pursuing the remaining
members of the CNTs and we will assure you that we will do our best to
dismantle the said group so that the civilian populace will have the chance to
live peacefully especially this yuletide season," he said.
"The CNT group must be
dismantled so that they can no longer celebrate another anniversary of
implicating and deceiving innocent civilians. These CNTs who claims to be an
'Army for the poor' did no good to our nation, instead, they impoverish the
people and leads them to suffer real poverty,” Molina added. (CMO Officer,
23IB, PA/PIA Agusan del Norte)
Former rebels regret joining the Reds
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 10 (PIA) -- In
the implementation of the Executive Order 70 or the whole-of-nation approach to
end local communist armed conflict (ELCAC), there is an increasing number of
former rebels who chose to return to the folds of the law, and decided to live
a peaceful life with their families.
During the site visit and
assessment of government agencies in Zapanta Valley, Barangay Bangonay in the
municipality of Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte, several former rebels have
revealed their worst experiences, and regretted the time they joined and
supported the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People’s Army (CPP-NPA)
terrorist group.
According to Lando Adlangan,
former courier and supporter of the NPA he felt sorry for his own family
because instead of spending quality time with them, he wasted his life serving
the CPP-NPA. He said, joining in the terrorist organization has not brought any
good for him, but only sufferings and hardships.
He also called on the other
members of the tribe who were deceived by the NPAs and are still involved in
the communist-terrorist movement to surrender to the government and live a
normal life with their respective families.
“Living in a simple life with my
wife and kids is more fulfilling than what I used to do before when I was still
part of the NPA. A peaceful life is what I longed for my family to experience
in our community,” said Adlangan.
A certain Ging-Ging Adlangan,
former secretary of the Kasalo group, also conveyed her regrets upon realizing
that she was only manipulated and exploited especially during rallies and
‘operation bakwit’ of the NPA.
“We’ve seen a lot of changes in
our community that truly help us cope with life, especially with all the
programs and livelihood provided to former rebels like us from the government,”
Adlangan shared.
Many of the former rebels and
local residents in Zapanta Valley have also expressed their gratitude to the
government for implementing projects and programs that they can benefit from.
“We are now benefitting from the
farm-to-market road and other projects that were established in our community
for us to have better way of living and enjoy the programs and services from
the government,” said Brando Fernandez, chairperson of Zapanta Bisaya
Organization.
Meanwhile, regional director
Manuel OrduΓ±a of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) gave
emphasis that the government continuous to provide the basic needs of the
communities particularly in the rebel-infested areas. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
More than 200 youths participate in 1st AgNor
YLS
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 10 (PIA) --
Government agencies have stepped up its effort in addressing the needs of the
locals in different communities, particularly the youths of Caraga region.
This is still part of the ongoing
implementation of the Executive Order 70 or the whole-of-nation approach to end
the insurgency of President Rodrigo Duterte.
The extensive conduct of the Youth
Leadership Summit is one of the priority activities of the Philippine Army to
help the youths in enhancing their skills as they are potential leaders in
their respective municipalities.
Jerwen Escalania was one of the
grateful participants who shared the values and experiences that he gained
during the 3-Day Youth Leadership Summit.
He was thankful to the concerned
government agencies, together with the 23rd Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army
for generously and seriously providing them the needed assistance and guidance.
“We’ve learned a lot of new ideas
from our resource persons and our leadership skills were enhanced and we will
apply all of these in our life and our community,” said Escalania.
“We were taught to be more
responsible while the organizers and facilitators emphasized to us that we
should always respect our parents and elders, as well as contribute to
nation-building,” shared Roniel Yongco.
According to Roberto Laurente,
president of the Propelling Our Inherited Nation Through Our Youth (POINTY)
organization, they also aim to help the youths to become more responsible and
wiser in using the social media. he cited that there have already been many
people who became victims of fake news.
“The youth should be able to
determine whether an information they read or hear is factual or not, so they
would not be deceived and become victims of fake news,” cited Laurente.
“When using the social media, the
aim should be helping other people become well-aware of what is happening in
the country and being able to contribute to its development,” said Ma. Leaneth
Penarejo.
As the honored guest speaker, 2Lt.
Gianmatteo Vittorio Guidicelli, Reservist – Armed Forces of the Philippines
(AFP), called on the Caraganon youths to get involved in the government’s
activities leading towards lasting peace and development.
“Let us unite and pool our
resources and help the government towards attaining lasting peace. We could use
the social media to promote a peaceful environment and inspiring other people
to contribute to peace-building efforts of the government,” highlighted
Guidicelli.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Colonel
Francisco Molina Jr., stressed the vital role of parents in rearing their
children well; ensuring them to grow without vices; and preventing them from
the recruitment of the New People’s Army (NPAs). (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
Muslim community welcomes various stakeholders
to MWOP
By Doreen Marielle N. Rosales
BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 10 (PIA) -- In
celebration of this year’s Mindanao Week of Peace (MWOP), the Muslim Community
welcomed the Christian and indigenous people (IP) participants to their
community in Narra Road, Brgy. 26 New Society Village, this city on November
29, 2019.
The non-Muslim guests were made to
witness the tradition and customs commonly followed by the Muslims.
Sultan Gamal Amerol, Sultan of
Caraga Administrative Region, along with Brgy. Captain Ibrahim T. Abdulahim and
Datu Muna Datu S. Ebra of the Bangsamoro-MNLF Caraga welcomed Most Rev. Fr.
Cosme Damian Almedilla, Bishop of the Diocese of Butuan, Datu Revise Mandahinog
of Nasipit, Agusan del Norte, and other leaders and members of the Christian
and IP communities in Caraga to the brief immersion that was scheduled by the
Caraga Conference for Peace and Development (CCPD) as its activity for the
third day of the weeklong celebration of MWOP.
The activity commenced with
non-Muslim participants witnessing the khutba, an Islamic tradition equivalent
to a Sunday mass performed by the Catholic church which is observed during the
duhr (noon) congregation prayer every Friday.
This was succeeded by a feast
prepared by the women of the community where exotic Maranao dishes were served
in a tabak, a traditional Maranao silverware that serves as a tray for the
dishes. The guests were also encouraged to observe Maranao table manners such
as sitting on the floor during meals and using one’s hands when eating.
A program was then hosted after a
shared meal. Leaders of the various participating communities praised the
hospitality of the community, acknowledging the uniqueness of their manner of
welcoming their guests and providing them an opportunity to experience their
traditions.
Barangay captain Ibrahim T.
Abdulahim remarked on the holiness of the occasion since it was held on a
Friday. “Friday is a holy day in Islam which therefore makes this event even
more blessed,” he said.
Reverend Father Carlito P. Clase,
executive director of CCPD, took the chance to apologize on behalf of the whole
non-Muslim communities for perpetuating the negative stereotypes against the
Muslims, which are primarily rooted on ignorance and indifference.
To signify the reconciliation
between the Muslims and the members of the non-Muslim communities, the leaders
exchanged bahandi – a century-old malong was gifted by the Muslims to the
Christian and IP communities while the latter gifted the Muslims an ancient
pottery.
On behalf of the National
Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) regional director Monaim Guro, chief of
Settling Division Norlain Balt delivered a speech to conclude the program.
“We try our best to extend our
understanding for our non-Muslim siblings when they mock our traditions such as
our manner of praying. We take into consideration the fact that they still do
not possess a deep understanding of the customs we observe, which is why an
inter-religious dialogue is necessary,” she emphasized. (DMNR/VLG/PIA-Caraga)
Mga dating rebelde, nagsisisi sa pagsali sa teroristang CPP-NPA
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Disyembre 10
(PIA) -- Patuloy ang pagsuko at pagbabalik-loob sa gobyerno ng ilan pang
miyembro ng rebeldeng grupong Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s
Army (CPP-NPA) sa rehiyon ng Caraga.
Ito ay sa harap ng pagpapatupad ng
Executive Order 70 o ang whole-of-nation approach sa pagsugpo ng insuhensiya sa
rehiyon.
Sa pagbisita ng mga kawani ng
gobyerno sa Zapanta Valley, Barangay Bangonay sa bayan ng Kitcharao, Agusan del
Norte, isiniwalat ng mga dating miyembro ng rebeldeng grupo ang kanilang mapait
na karanasan at paghihinayang sa mahabang panahon na kanilang iginugol sa
nasabing grupo.
Ayon kay Datu Lando Adlangan,
dating courier at supporter ng NPA, nanghihinayang siya sa panahong inilaan
niya sa rebeldeng grupo na sana ay naibigay niya sa kanyang pamilya.
Dagsag pa ni Adlangan, walang
magandang naidulot sa kanyang buhay ang pag-anib sa makakaliwang grupo.
Nanawagan din siya sa iba niyang
kasama sa tribu na nalinlang ng NPA na sumuko na at mamuhay ng mapayapa kasama
ang kani-kanilang pamilya at magkaroon ng maayos na hanapbuhay.
“Kung makikita ko lang yung mga
kasama ko sa tribu na sumusuporta pa sa NPA ngayon, kokombinsihin ko talaga
silang bumaba na at mamuhay na nang tahimik kasama ang pamilya nila,” sabi ni
Adlangan.
Pagsisisi rin ang naramdaman ni
Ging-Ging Adlagan, dating secretary ng grupong Kasalo dahil sa kanyang pagiging
aktibo nuon sa kalakaran ng grupo. Walang katuturan aniya ang kanyang pagsali
sa rally at ‘operation bakwit’ ng NPA.
Masaya na siya ngayon kasama ang
kanyang pamilya at sa tulong na ibinigay ng gobyerno sa mga katulad niyang
former rebel. “Marami na talagang magandang pagbabago sa aming lugar at marami
na ring naibigay na tulong ang pamahalaan ditto sa pamamagitan ng mga
programa’t proyekto dito sa Zapanta Valley,” pahayag ni Adlangan.
Marami rin sa mga dating rebelde
at mga lokal na residente ang nagpasalamat sa mga programa’t proyektong nailunsad
ng gobyerno sa Zapanta Valley na ngayon ay napapakinabangan na nila.
“Nagpapasalamat kami sa malasakit
at sa patuloy na pagtulong ng gobyerno sa aming luagr at sa tribu. Maganda na
an gaming buhay mula nang tumiwalag na kami sa NPA,” sabi ni Brando Fernandez,
chairperson ng Zapanta Bisaya Organization.
Samantala, binigyang-diin ni
regional director Manuel OrdΓ±a ng National Intelligence Coordinating Agency
(NICA) na layon ng gobyerno na matugunan ang mga pangangailangan ng mga
mamamayan partikular na sa mga rebel-infested areas. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
Kuta ng mga NPA sa Agusan Norte, nadiskobre
By Nora L. Molde
LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Disyembre 10
(PIA) -- Natunton ng mga militar ang malaking kweba na pinagkukutaan ng mga
miyembro ng CPP-NPA sa sitio San Jose, barangay Durian sa bayan ng Las Nieves,
Agusan del Norte.
Nadiskubre ito matapos ang 15
minutong bakbakan sa pagitan ng 23rd Infantry Battalion (23IB), Philippine Army
at mahigit apat napong (40) CPP-NPAs na pinaniniwalaang myembro ng SDG CAOCAO,
GF4A, North Central Mindanao Regional Command.
Sa naturang kweba ay nakuha ang
tatlong high-powered firearms, laptops, generator set, medisina, pagkain at
marami pang iba.
Iniwan lang ng mga rebelde ang isa
nilang kasamahang napatay sa engkwentro at agad naman itong itinurn-over ng mga
militar sa barangay officials sa nasabing lugar.
Nakompiska rin ang mga kagamitang
pambabae tulad ng mga underwear, feminine napkins at contraceptives
pills.
Ayon kay Ltc. Francisco
Molina, Jr, commander officer ng 23IB, posibleng pinapainom ang mga
contraceptives sa mga myembrong babae dahil ayon na din sa mga rebelasyon ng
mga naging myembro ng CPP-NPA, kinomperma nilang ginagamit ng mga nakakataas sa
kanilang grupo ang mga babaeng kasapi.
Samantala, sa isa pang bakbakan sa
Sitio Salvacion, barangay Manila de Bugabos sa Butuan City, isang 16 na taong
gulang na myiembro ng CPP-NPA ang namatay at ilang high-powered firearms din
ang nakompiska.
Ang naturang menor de edad na
miyembro ng NPA ay kinilalang si Litboy Binungcasan na residente ng Malinao,
lungsod ng Gingoog.
Ayon sa kanyang kapatid na si
Emalyn, nagpaalam lamang si Litboy na magtatrabaho sa isang lugar ng Agusan del
Norte subalit hindi na ito nakabalik pa. Nalaman nalang din nila na siya ay
patay na sa engkwentro sa lungsod ng Butuan.
Malaki ang pasasalamat ni Ltc.
Molina sa mga sibilyan na nagbigay agad ng impormasyon sa mga militar upang
makaresponde sa lugar at nang mahinto na ang mga gawaing terorismo ng mga
CPP-NPAs.
Nanawagan din ang opisyal sa mga
CPP-NPAs na ihinto na ang pagrerecruit ng mga menor de edad at magbalik-loob na
sa gobyerno. (NCLM/PIA Agusan del Norte)
