Toboso declares CPP-NPA-NDF persona non grata

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — The Municipal Council of Toboso in Negros Occidental has approved a resolution declaring the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) and the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) persona non grata within the town.

The resolution was unanimously approved during a regular session of the Sangguniang Bayan on Tuesday, more than a week after a series of encounters between the Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion (IB) and the NPA in Sitio Plaringding, Barangay Salamanca, Toboso, which reportedly resulted in the death of 19 alleged rebels.

The resolution also stressed that the armed encounter caused fear and anxiety among residents and disrupted normal socioeconomic activities in the affected community after more than 500 residents were displaced.

The resolution said the CPP-NPA-NDF, collectively referred to by government authorities as CTGs, has been associated with acts of violence and armed insurgency in various parts of the country.

The resolution stated that the move expresses the local government’s strong condemnation of insurgency and affirms its support for peace-building initiatives and lawful governance.

“The presence and activities of these groups in various parts of the country have resulted in violence, loss of lives, destruction of property, and disruption of local development efforts,” it said.

The Sangguniang Bayan recognized the need to protect Toboso residents from threats posed by insurgent activities and to ensure a peaceful and progressive community.

It encouraged all barangays in the town to support the move and strengthen programs that promote peace, unity, and development.

The resolution stressed that the town is committed to promoting peace, order, public safety, and the general welfare of its constituents.

The town reiterated its full support for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and other government agencies in their efforts to maintain peace and security.

The Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC) has recommended the adoption of measures expressing the municipality’s strong condemnation of insurgency-related violence and support for national peace and security efforts.

This declaration, according to the council, aligns with the efforts of the national government, including the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), in promoting sustainable peace and development.

Meanwhile, former rebels and residents of Toboso, led by Buklod Kapayapaan, gathered for a peace rally in front of the Municipal Hall on Monday to condemn the reported killings of 48 civilians tagged as “informants” by the NPA since last year.

The group led a fact-finding mission to gather details related to the April 19 encounter in Barangay Salamanca.