Army officer urges cessation of hostilities with CPP-NPA

BEHIND THE SCENES
Alfred P. Dizon

(We print hereunder a letter of Capt. Adonis B. Banez, 501st Brigade information officer, 5ID of the Philippine Army to the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army and National Democratic Front with special mention of CPDF spokesman Simon Naogsan urging cessation of hostilities between government forces and the rebels particularly in Mountain Province. “Ka Fiilw” may send us his response on this matter for publication in the Northern Philippine Times.)

BONTOC, Mountain Province – The “convergence approach” which was conceptualized and implemented by the 501st Infantry (Valiant) Brigade, 5ID, PA in its area of responsibility specifically in Mt Province under the leadership of Col. Eliseo C. Posadas, its brigade Commander played major contribution in the enhancement of the socio-economic and integral development of the whole community and residents.

The approach aims to assist the barangay and its residents on community organizing in order to identify issues and concerns that need government attention to be collaborated to concerned agencies. Other activities of our soldiers is identification of projects through the recommendation of barangay officials for assessment and programming of the Aarmed Forces of the Philippines’s National Development and Support Command with its implementing unit the Philippine Army’s Engineering Brigade.

Likewise, information campaigns among residents on programs of the government were conducted to include activities of the local government units on peace and development. It further aims to initiate through the local government the resumption of peace initiatives to finally achieve lasting peace in the province to further focus on development.

During series of peace and developmental activities of our mass base operators in different barangays in Mt Province, the residents through their barangay officials voluntarily formulated their respective barangay resolutions condemning the CPP-NPA- NDF on atrocities they conducted in the province.

These to include the ambush on government forces in barangays Bontoc Ili and in Samoki in Bontoc, Mt Province which resulted to the death and wounding of soldiers conducting humanitarian activities in the province.

Highlighted in the said resolution which was unanimously affirmed by the residents and adapted during barangay assembly of different barangays of Bontoc, Bauko, Sabangan and Sagada was their strong condemnation against any member of the CPP-NPA-NDF who conducts transactions or activities within their barangays saying they will not participate in any form of activities conducted by the CPP-NPA-NDF and its allied/affiliated organizations.

They will not also allow and strongly oppose the entry of any member of CPP-NPA-NDF within their barangay and cooperate with the AFP and all government agencies in all activities, programs and projects towards peace, progress and development in their barangay.

They further resolved to declare their respective barangays cleared and free from insurgents’ influence and activities and that they strongly support activities of the AFP through partnership for strengthening internal security operations for peace and development.

It will be recalled that information lines of the insurgents stated they are fighting for the masses but indeed the local and barangay leaders had already spoken with strong support of the residents, that what the insurgents are fighting for is useless and futile which hampered the economic growth and development of their barangay.

Further, the residents had spoken that the insurgents deceived them with false promises and deception, the reason why many of the NPA are now returning to the folds of law and are joining the mainstream of society for a brighter future.

As our continuing commitment, your soldiers are primarily concerned in attaining lasting peace in the province and we are seeking all means for peace initiatives with express support of the provincial, municipal, barangay leaders and all stakeholders most especially the religious and council of elders and tribal leaders envisioning its realization.

Your servant-soldiers are enjoining local leaders and civil societies calling the CPP-NPA-NDF through the CPDF leader Mr. Simon Naogsan for the cessation of hostilities in this province, which is also the home province of the CPDF leader. The people had already expressed their strong opposition against insurgency after realizing that what Mr. Naogsan is fighting for has no reason to exist.

If indeed Mr Naogsan and his comrades are sincere, they should surface and join us with the LGU and civil society-led peace initiatives for a discussion toward the resolution of conflicts in the province. It should be noted that the development and hope of the province will always depend on the stability of peace and order and this could be the legacy of Mr Naogsan to his provincemates especially the youth for the next generation.