Talaingod officials, tribes reiterate rebuke for NPA
OFFICIALS of Talaingod town signed a forum resolution declaring the CPP-NPA persona non grata on Saturday, July 20.
Talaingod Mayor Jonnie Libayao, three barangay chiefs, tribal council of Talaingod, led by Datu Guibang Apoga, signed the resolution during a symbolic ceremony as part of the commencement activity of the 3-day peacebuilding seminar facilitated by the 56th Infantry Battalion.
Capt. Erick Wynmer Calulot, the Civil-Military Operations officer of 1003rd Infantry Brigade, said the resolution started with the tribal ritual manifesting the endorsement of the town’s Ata-Manobo tribal council.
“We completely support the initiative of the people of Talaingod against the CPPNPA,” Col. Nolasco A. Mempin, brigade commander of the 1003rd, said.
“This is a manifestation on their part that the IP community have had enough of the deception and abuses of the communist movement,” he added.
With this declaration, Mempin said, “the people have expressed their desire for genuine change and real progress through the help of the government and the military.”
“We do hope that this would be the beginning of a pouring in of developmental initiatives that would contribute to a lasting peace in the area,” he further said.
The three-day peacebuilding seminar is aimed at guiding former CPP-NPA sympathizers back to mainstream society.