BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Residents of Brgy. E Lopez in Silay City, Negros Occidental condemned the atrocities and deceptions of the New People’s Army and its allies, and held a peace rally attended by Mayor Mark Golez and barangay officials Saurday.
The NPA Roselyn Jean Pelle Command had claimed responsibility for the burning of three heavy equipment in Brgy. Consing, EB Magalona, owned by the family of a politician in April this year, adding that it was in response to the people’s clamor to punish large-scale quarrying operations that caused massive flooding in the area.
Lt. Col. J-jay Javines, 79IB commanding Officer, lauded the effort of the community in condemning the NPA and its allies, that he said clearly shows that the peace-loving barangay residents can no longer endure the sufferings they have been experiencing.
The pledge to withdraw their support from the armed group is already a bold step towards ending insurgency, Javines said.
A recent encounter between 79IB troopers and NPA rebels in neighboring Hacienda Raymunda, Brgy. Kapitan Ramon in Silay, claimed the lives of two communist rebels, including Kerima Lorena Tariman, secretary of the Northern Negros Front, also known as the Roselyn Jean Pelle Command, and an Army soldier.
Javines and Golez, meanwhile, were joined by the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company, led by P/Maj. Fernando Soblingo, and the Silay City police, led by P/Lt. Col. Robert Petate, at the activity and information drive that was aimed at informing the residents of the insurgency, deception, and recruitment strategies of the NPA and its allies, and to address the concerns of residents.
Former rebel “Ka Joross” also shared his miserable experiences when he was still with the armed group and how his life has changed after he surrendered.
1Lt. Dansan Camua, 79IB Civil Military Operations officer, said participants to the peace rally included members of the Hacienda Culahao Farmer Workers Association and Hacienda Nenita Farmer Workers Association, who also gave their oaths of allegiance to support the duly-constituted government, before Brgy. Captain Meriam Gallego.
It was followed by the burning of a CPP-NPA flag.
Camua said the activity was part of the Community Support Program of the 32nd Civil Military Operations and 1st NOCPMFC.
Arnilo Serquillos, chairman of the Hacienda Culahao Farmer Workers Association, thanked the CSP team of the Philippine Army and the PNP for the assistance to their organization and for helping the group register with the Department of Labor and Employment.*
