BALER, Aurora (PIA) -- The Philippine Army’s 91st Infantry Battalion (91st IB) recently called on its stakeholders in the province of Aurora to help thwart recruitment and extortion activities of communist terrorist groups. 

Lieutenant Colonel Julito Recto Jr., commander of the 91st IB, made the appeal during the anti-terrorism awareness forums participated in by 58 graduating criminology students from Wesleyan University Philippines-Aurora and local officials and residents in the municipalities of Maria Aurora, San Luis, and Dingalan.

Recto said the campaign is guided by Executive Order No. 70, series of 2018 which institutionalized the whole-of-nation approach in attaining inclusive and sustainable peace. 

The Philippine Army and other government agencies are implementing peace and development programs to address the root causes of armed conflict.

“If there is peace, there will be more investors that will translate to more jobs for our people. Our province continues to flourish and become more progressive. Therefore,  help us in convincing members of the dismantled Komiteng Larangang Guerilla Sierra Madre of the New People’s Army to lay down their arms and be with the government,” he pressed. 

The government provides various aid under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program wherein rebel returnees and their families are given a wide array of benefits to help them start anew as they are reintegrated to mainstream society. 

These include scholarships, training and employment opportunities. (CLJD/MAT-PIA 3)