More barangays in Agusan Sur declare CPP-NPA as ‘persona non grata’

CAMP DATU LIPUS MAKAPANDONG, Awa New Leyte, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur - Barangay officials and far-flung residents of Barangay San Patricio in La, Paz town and Barangays Zillovia, Zamora and Marbon of Talacogon town, all in Agusan del Sur province, stood together as they declared the Communist Party of the Philippines- New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), “persona non grata”, during their respective monthly general barangay assembly last weekend, . 1st Lt. Percival J. Carido, Civil Military Operations CMO) officer of the Army’s 26th Infantry (Onward) Battalion told The Manila Bulletin on Tuesday.

Through the resolutions passed by their respective Peace and Order Councils (POCs), these barangays followed other areas in declaring the CPP-NPA and its allied organizations as “unwanted” in their respective communities and consequently committing their barangays to become conflict resilient, the 26th IB CMO officer said.

The four barangays had recognized the mayhem and disruption brought about by the leftist radicals, prompting them to declare barangay resolutions deploring all operations by the communist terrorist group.

“Isipisasa barangay official ug amahanniining barangay, among obligasyon ug mandatongaprotektahan ang among mgakumonidad ug katawhanbatoksamgagruponganaghatag ug kasamoksaamungteritoryo”. (As head executive of this barangay, it is my task and mandate to take necessary actions to deter any activities that malign our community and people), Punong barangay Basmer H. Durango of Barangay San Patricio told the 26th IB, 1st Lt. Carido said.

With this declaration, barangay officials hope to reinstate peace and order within their respective barangays and provide pleasant and undisturbed living conditions for its residents, he added.

Through the intensified “whole-of-nation” approach and “peaceful war” efforts of every local government unit, together with the 26th IB and other stakeholders, the CPP-NPA are losing grounds and hold of their mass supporters, resulting in their continuing disintegration, also claimed Lt. Col. Romeo C. Jimenea, commanding officer of the 26th IB.

“I am grateful for the cooperation and immediate response of our barangay officials in maintaining zero tolerance for violence and oppression. It is an unrelenting vision of the 26th IB and the rest of the Philippine Army to foster and build an orderly and peaceful community,” he said, as he praises the effort done by the barangay executive bodies.

“This is the time for us to unite and end communist insurgency by addressing identified socio-economic concerns in order to attain inclusive and sustainable peace not only in our AOR but to the entire nation. With the support of every stakeholder and the local populace, we will resolve and act as one in the campaign of eradicating the terrorist NPA’s,” Lt. Col. Jimenea added