The Army’s 79th Infantry “Masaligan” Battalion and the police conducted a peace dialog and an outreach activity for residents affected by the recent encounter at Hacienda Raymunda, Brgy Kapitan Ramon, Silay City, Negros Occidental, on Monday, August 23.
This is to increase awareness of the residents on the modus operandi of the rebels to agitate, organize and mobilize potential recruits, a press release from the Army said.
During the dialog, former rebel “Joross” shared his “awful experience” when he was still in the rebel movement.
Documentaries about the futility of the armed struggle were also shown to the residents.
Authorities also explained to the residents the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), a program for those who return to the fold of the law.
Lt. Col. J-jay Javines, 79IB commanding officer, also called on the residents to remain vigilant and report any presence of the armed group to the authorities to stop them from staging more terror in the community.
The August 20 encounter led to the deaths of two rebels and a soldier.*