MisOr, Bukidnon declare CPP-NPA persona non grata

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY: The Philippine National Police (PNP) in Northern Mindanao (Region 10) praised on Tuesday the move of Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon provinces declaring the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) persona non grata in their respective areas.

In a statement, Brig. Gen. Rafael Santiago Jr., Police Region Office-10 (PRO-10) director, has commended the two Northern Mindanao provinces for “standing up” against the NPA guerrillas in their areas, even as he hopes other provinces would follow suit.

“The police and military cannot do this alone. We need the help of our local government leaders and their constituents in our effort to achieve an insurgency-free Northern Mindanao,” Santiago said.

Lt. Col. Mardy Hortillosa, PRO10 spokesman, said they have been closely working with local government units and the Philippine Army to ensure an end to communist insurgency in the region.

Just recently, the provincial government of Misamis Oriental announced that 16 of its 24 towns have already passed resolutions rejecting the CPPNPA’s presence in their areas, and declared the communist rebel movement and their fronts “persona non grata.”

Misamis Oriental provincial government said the local government units are “fed up with the incessant atrocities perpetrated by the CPP-NPA against civilians and destruction of civilian properties.”

In Bukidnon, the local chapter of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines also passed a resolution during its September 18 meeting declaring the CPP-NPA persona non grata in the province.