Village declares rebels ‘persona non grata’

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Local officials of Barangay General Luna in Toboso town, Negros Occidental declared the Communist Party of the Philippines – NPA-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) as Persona Non Grata.

Barangay Captain Efren Madajoyan and the military troopers of the 79th Infantry Battalion (IB) posted a tarpaulin at the village’s covered court last Tuesday, pursuant to Barangay Resolution No. 015-2020, declaring the NPA unwanted in the village.

In a press statement, the Army said that the residents have “decided to free themselves from the atrocities perpetrated by the NPA in their communities.”

Lieutenant Colonel Gerard Alvaran, 79th IB commander lauded the determination of the local officials and residents of the village.

He said that “standing against this terrorist group is a bold step towards ending the insurgency and secure lasting peace and unhampered development in their area.”

The 79th IB continues to initiate information awareness campaign on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) to the populace residing in the hinterland areas.

“I call upon those victims of the lies and deceptions of the CPP-NPA that now is the time to abandon your senseless ‘armed struggle’ and instead go back to the folds of the law, avail of the E-CLIP and live a normal life with your loved ones,” Alvaran said.

Meanwhile, two rebel returnees in the province received cash assistance of P15,000 each through the E-CLIP program of the national government last Tuesday.

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, along with the E-CLIP committee, turned over a check to the returnees.

Lieutenant Colonel Erwin Cariño, commander of the Army’s 15th IB, said that the E-CLIP program sustains the anti-insurgency efforts of the government forces.