Brgys in Buk’n declare NPA rebels ‘persona non grata’

Barangays in West Bukidnon province area declared members of the New People’s Army (NPA) as “persona non grata” in their villages.

The rebel group were deemed undesirable after troops conducted area clearing validation in Malaybalay City on October 22 and 23.

The declaration is supported by barangay resolutions by barangays New Eden, Concepcion and Bacusanon of Pangantucan, barangays Dominorog, Cosina, Lantud, Miarayon, and Lirongan of Talakag, barangays Puntian and

Kulasi of Sumilao, barangays Imbayao and Mapayag of Malaybalay City, barangays Basac, Kulasihan, Kapitan Juan and Kaatuan of Lantapan, and barangays Bagawbawan, Lurugan, San Carlos and Barobo of Valencia City.

Brigadier General Cristobal Zaragoza, the 4th Infantry Division’s (4ID) Area Clearing Validation Board Chairman thanked the barangay officials for their support and in declaring the NPA and other organizations tied to them as persona non grata.

“The people have now spoken as one against the deceptions and atrocities of these terrorists and have stood together to once and for all, end the NPA menace in their localities. They are now considered undesirables in these barangays,” he said.

“I am encouraging other barangays to show courage and cooperation by uniting as one against the NPAs and their front organizations,” Zaragoza added.