People of Misamis Occidental declare Communist Terrorist Group as persona non grata

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (April 11, 2019) – The peace-loving people of Misamis Occidental has declared the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), New People’s Army (NPA) and the National Democratic Front (NDF) as persona non grata through a resolution passed by the Provincial Peace and Order Council effective April 4, 2019.

During its 1st Quarter Provincial Peace and Order Council Meeting, the province which is composed of the three cities, fourteen municipalities and four hundred ninety barangays, passed Resolution No. 1 Series of 2019 which states that;

 “The people of the Misamis Occidental must make a stand against the presence of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) in their respective localities in order to show its sincerity and support on the call of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to end the insurgency in our country.”

“The people of Misamis Occidental are already fed-up with the 50 years of lies and atrocities of these bandits against our people for their criminal acts and violations of the International Humanitarian Law.”

“The local chief executives (LCEs) in Misamis Occidental have stressed that their constituents want to live in a peaceful, prosperous and happy community that is insulated from the brutal war that the communist terrorists have waged for decades.”

According to Col. Bagnus Gaerlan, Jr., commander of 102nd Infantry (IGSOON) Brigade which has operational jurisdiction over the said province, “This bold move is a great help in our effort to protect the communities from the atrocities of the communist terrorist group.

“With the declaration, the CTG will have a small chance of recruiting our people especially the farmers, the youth, women and the indigenous people to join this terrorist movement. Likewise, we are expecting an enhanced cooperation between and among the people in giving information on the whereabouts of these terrorist group”, Gaerlan added.

Meanwhile, Brigadier General Roberto Ancan, the 1st Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Zampelan (Zamboanga Peninsula and Lanao Provinces) commander, lauded the local government unit of Misamis Occidental on the declaration of the CTG as Persona Non Grata.

“This audacious action by the local government unit of Misamis Occidental headed by Governor Herminia Ramiro, will ease and hasten our campaign against the terrorist group,” Ancan added.

“With the help of the local communities, local chief executives and other stakeholders, we can end the insurgency, attain a just and lasting peace and continue on with the progress and development of the province”, Ancan concluded. (By JONG CADION with DPAO PR and photos)