CAMP ALLEN, Baguio City — Forty-four supporters of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) from Tukocan, Ifugao, formally withdrew their support to the CTG in a ceremony recently at Mugao, Barangay Impugong Tinoc, Ifugao.
Ifugao, the home of the Rice Terraces, has been a stronghold of insurgency, but the mass withdrawal of CTG supporters demonstrated a positive development for an insurgency-free Ifugao.
Ifugao Governor Jerry U. Dalipog said that the undertaking is a big step in the province’s quest for genuine peace towards development and progress as he urged the CTGs, supporters, and officials to work collectively for peace.
“We will not allow the CTG to continue demeaning the peace that we aspire for, so we ought to condemn them. I therefore urge all CTG supporters to join me and our officials to be committed to moving forward in our quest for peace.”
During the ceremony of mass withdrawal that was witnessed by the different government agencies, the former CTG supporters condemned the CTG by burning the CTG banners and signed an oath of support to the government, a demonstration that they’re now on the side of the government and will support its peace and development programs.
Mr. Gardo Pilay, one of the former supporters, expressed his gratitude for the government programs for them. He also left a message for the remaining members of CTG in Ifugao to return to mainstream society and embrace peace.
“I call on the NPAs to come down because there’s no hope in the CTG. We are being made into fools to destroy the government. To the leaders of the NPA, do not lie and destroy lives.”
On the part of the AFP, the 502nd Brigade, 5th Infantry Division Philippine Army assured to sustain the peace in the province.
“With your unity and trust in the government, it will be ensured that no more families will be destroyed due to violence, no more children will be separated from their parents, and no more young people will be affected by conflict and wrong ideology.” said Lieutenant Colonel Epizo Angalao PA, Commander of the 86th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army.
Meanwhile, Police Regional Director Cordillera, PBGen David K. Peredo Jr., said they will continue to assist and respond to the needs of those who have lost their way because of communist ideology and he further recognized the courage of these supporters for condemning the CTG.
Government agencies that were in attendance and gave commitments of support to the former CTG supporters were OPAPRU, NICA, PRO CAR, 502nd Brigade, Philippine Army, DOLE, DSWD, DILG, Office of the Congressman, Lone District of Ifugao, PLGU, and MLGU.
This significant milestone of the RTF-ELCAC was made possible under the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 15’s Project Panag-aywan Iti Kailyan.
The ceremony was mad concluded with the distribution of food packs to the former CTG supporters from the DSWD, 1st Civil Relations Group, CRSAFP and other partner stakeholders. (UnliNews Online)
