Some 84 residents of Barangay Canlusong in EB Magalona, Negros Occidental joined the peace advocacy symposium on Friday, November 20.
The activity was initiated by the Army’s 79th Infantry (Masaligan) Battalion under the leadership of its commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Gerard Alvaran.
The symposium includes lectures and audiovisual presentations aimed at giving awareness to the community regarding insurgency, infiltration efforts of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF), and its recruitment schemes, a press release from the Army said.
It was actively participated by the local government unit led by Mayor Marvin Malacon, the barangay council, and the police.
One of the highlights of the activity was the ceremonial signing of Brgy. Resolution declaring the CPP-NPA and its political wing, the NDF, as persona non grata in their community.
The Masaligan troopers also distributed educational leaflets on the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) and Anti-Terrorism Law (ATL), as well as facilitated the distribution of food packs from the local government unit of EB Magalona.
Malacon thanked the Philippine Army for its commitment to bringing peace to his municipality and reminded his people to unite for the development of their community.
“Ugyon kita tanan, mag-isa kita tanan sa isa ka kawsa, sa pag asenso sa Barangay Canlusong,” Malacon said.
Meanwhile, Alvaran said, “symposiums like this will equip the residents to resolve possible issues that will provoke them to join the armed group and help prevent infiltration of the CNTs in the community.”
“Attaining a just, sustainable, and lasting peace cannot be left to the security forces alone. We need to unite and help each other contribute to the peace-building efforts of the government and be partners in ending local communist armed conflict,” Alvaran added.*