DAVAO CITY — The military and the local government unit was holding the graduation rites for the successful participants of the three-day peacebuilding training for communities believed to be supporters of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New Peoples Army (CPP)/NPA) in the boundaries of North Cotabato and Davao del Sur, when suddenly a participant surrendered.
The graduation ceremony turned out his liberation day, described Col. Ezra Balagtey, Commander of the 39th Infantry Battalion of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) based in Makilala, North Cotabato
Alias Jorry, 47 years old, B’laan and resident of Sitio Datal Biao, Brgy Danlag, Tampakan, was among the participants, little did the training organizers realize that he is among the armed militia of the communist movement.
Jorry revealed, he is a member of Guerilla Front ALIP of the Far South Mindanao Region; he submitted himself to the members of the Tampakan Municipal Task Force in Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (MTF-ELCAC) led by Chairman, Hon Leonard Escobillo, during the culmination program of a 3-day Peace Building Seminar on November 7, 2021, held at Tampakan National High School.
Balagtey told Newsline “We know that some participants have been oriented by the terrorist group, that is why we are holding peace training together with other stakeholders, to enlighten them what the government has been doing for their economic and socio-cultural development but during his graduation, he gave up all his weapons that included one (1) unit of M16 Rifle with one (1) short magazine and one (1) unit Garand Rifle.”
Jorry embraced the government and vowed to be an active member of society and walk with the peacebuilders for the development of his community.
The activity was participated by 63 members of the New People’s Army Under Ground Mass Organization (UGMO) conducted by Tampakan MTF-ELCAC.
The participants from Barangay Danlag, Tablu, and Palo 19 of Tampakan, South Cotabato, who recently cut their ties with the rebel movement denounced their affiliation with CPP-NPA-NDF claimed they were enlightened and awakened from the deception of the NPA terrorist, Balagtey stressed.
The participants submitted a project proposal to the LGU highlighting livelihood enhancement programs and promised to support the Barangay Development Programs, as they internalized their role in contributing peace and development of their communities.
Director Restituto Macuto, Regional Director DSWD XII, in his graduation message thanked the participants for appreciating the peace effort of the government “To give you a good life, if not the best, for you to understand the importance of living in peace and harmony.”
Maculto also cited the military personnel for dedicating their time to solidify peace and order across the country and for embracing the ideals of the whole-of-nation approach”.
The PBS is a 3-day program that aims to reorient and redirect the former UGMO members from NPA propaganda.
The program includes information awareness on programs and services of the government and other partner stakeholders.
Escobillo in his message emphasized the importance of the military presence in the community.-Newsline Philippines
