CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro (PIA) — The Philippine Army reiterates its call for the remaining members of the Communist rebels in Oriental Mindoro to abandon their armed struggle and return to the government.
The Army made the remark after an encounter between 4th Infantry Battalion (4IB) soldiers and the insurgents on February 15 in Sitio Agong, Barangay San Roque, Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro.
“To the remaining members of the NPA [New People’s Army], return to the government now and abandon armed struggle. The 4IB remains open to any NPA members who wish to return and be assisted through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP),” Acting 4IB Commander, Lt. Col. Erwin Glenn Romero said this during a meeting between the 4IB, the Bulalacao Municipal Police Station (MPS), and residents of the said barangay.
The meeting was held to ensure the safety of the residents and to reaffirm the community’s support for maintaining peace and order.
Troops and police personnel also addressed the deceptive tactics used by the terrorists against the residents. The soldiers provided guidance on how to properly avoid and defend against the terrorist group.
They also reiterated to the residents Republic Act 11479, or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, which includes penalties for those caught supporting the terrorist CPP-NPA-NDF.
Barangay Chairman Eddie Fajarito supported the troops and the local government for their actions and the E-CLIP program, saying, “Ang aming barangay ay nananatiling kasama sa layunin ng kapayapaan…tayo ay magtulungan upang tuluyan nang mawala ang banta ng terorismo sa ating lugar.”
(Our barangay remains committed to the goal of peace…let us work together to completely eliminate the threat of terrorism in our area.) (ALG/PIA MIMAROPA-Oriental Mindoro/With information and photos from 4IB)
