Army, Tubungan locals settle harassment issue ‘amicably’

By Lilibeth A. French

 

The local government unit of Tubungan, Iloilo recently spearheaded a local peace engagement between the Philippine Army and locals of Boloc village to peacefully settle the issue on harassment.

Mayor Roquito Tacsagon led the local peace engagement (LPE) that aimed at clearing the issue of harassment raised by a barangay official and a resident against the Philippine Army.

On March 3 this year, a suspected member of the New People’s Army reportedly harassed the village that prompted the Philippine Army 3rd Infantry Division 61st Infantry Battalion (PA 3ID 61st IB) to call for an emergency meeting, the next day, March 4.

Barangay Kagawad Carlos Talaman and resident Julie Talha raised a complaint of harassment against the military on the following day.

The LPE, held on March 10 at Tubungan Community Learning Center, provided an avenue for representatives of PA, village officials led by Punong Barangay Alejo Capio and families of Talaman and Talha to discuss and address the issue.

During the meeting, the military represented by Capt. Ferdinand G. De Vera and 1Lt. Nicanor Jacinto, cleared that the stories made by Kagawad Carlos Talaman are all fabricated.

The parties also agreed for the need for greater synergy in fostering peace and in promoting the general welfare of the Tubunganons through resolution of conflict through amicable negotiations.

“Wala ako sang iban nga handum kundi ang kalinungan sang banwa kag safety sang mga pumuluyo (I don’t have any other dreams, but the peace of the town and safety of the residents),” said Tacsagon.

As the father of the town, Tacsagon said he is after the welfare of his children and that he is willing to listen and help solve the problems of his people.

“CSP is one of the key strategies in support of the President’s EO No.70 or the “Whole-of-Nation” approach in Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict. If we won’t facilitate the insurgency issues, we won’t be able to achieve peace and progress,” said PA 3ID 61st IB Commanding Officer Col. Joel Benedict Batara in a report from Tubungan LGU.

CSP stands for Community Support Program, a community immersion tool adopted by the government to support the whole-of-nation approach. (PIA)