Former Abra communists join peace building event

TUBO, Abra --Some 28 former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) here attended a 3-day peace-building seminar for their reintegration to mainstream society.
    Initiated by the 71st Infantry Batallion in collaboration with the local government of Tubo led by Mayor Guilbert Ballangan, the seminar for former communist members from Barangay Kili was reportedly recently held at the Kili gymnasium.
    Projects and programs of the local government and national agencies which the participants could avail of and benefit from were presented.

    The activity culminated with a peace rally and declaration of the CPP-NPA-NDF as persona non-grata. 
     LTC Ricardo GB Garcia 702nd Brigade executive officer, lauded the 71st IB led by LtCoL. Sonny E. Gonzales and local government units and stakeholders in the province for facilitating the seminar. 
    "Peace and security is a shared responsibility. All sectors must contribute to the efforts of the government in ending local armed conflict which calls for a whole of nation approach. Through collaboration and strong partnership with different stakeholders, peace and development in the province of Abra will be achieved," Gonzales, said. – PIA Abra