Murcia villagers denounce NPA

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

 

BACOLOD City – Sixty-three former mass supporters of Barangay Sta. Rosa, Murcia, Negros Occidental denounced the alleged violence committed by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army- National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) and its allies and declared the group as “persona non grata.”

The residents also vowed their full allegiance to the government in a simple ceremony held at the Murcia covered court in Barangay Zone II last Monday, a press release from the Army said.

Also highlighted during the activity was the raising of banners and placards with messages calling on the rebels “to stop terrorism in their communities.”

They also burned the CPP-NPA flags that symbolizes their total denouncement of the rebel group.

Sta. Rosa village chief Larry Alvarez expressed his full support and cooperation to guard his community from the influence of the NPA.

Lieutenant Colonel Gerard Alvaran, commander of Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion (IB), lauded the support of the municipal government, barangay council, and residents for their commitment towards ending the CPP-NPA-NDF atrocities.

“The pledge to withdraw their support from the armed group is already a bold step towards ending insurgency and secure lasting peace and sustainable development in their community,” Alvaran said.

He urged other barangays to also do the same, to stop supporting the armed group, and to finally put an end to the insurgency in the province.

Meanwhile, the military troopers distributed awareness leaflets on Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), and gave five kilos of rice to each participant in the activity.