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Monday, August 21, 2006
C. Luzon not yet clear of Reds: military
By Marna H. Dagumboy
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Philippine Army's (PA) Seventh Infantry Division Commander Jovito Palparan on Sunday revealed there are still communist rebels operating in the region.
Palparan issued the statement during the fifth biggest rally staged by anti-communists in the city.
In his speech, the Army official urged residents here to fight the presence of rebels in order to achieve growth and development in the province. He also asked the residents to work together to clear the province of armed groups, even as he said that there are still suspected rebels operating in the towns of Floridablanca, Minalin, Masantol, Lubao and Arayat.
Palparan also said that they are confident of beating the deadline of clearing the region of suspected rebel groups, which is in line with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's directive to maintain peace and order in the country.
Some 1,500 residents marched from Barangay San Isidro in the city to the Provincial Capitol to join Army officials and local government unit (LGU) leaders in their campaign against rebel groups.
Governor Mark Lapid thanked Palparan for his support in clearing the province of suspected rebels.
Mayor Oscar Rodriguez, for his part, denied reports that the City Government is supporting the system of the armed rebels.
First Lieutenant Erickson Bulosan, 69th Infantry Batallion Bravo Company commander, earlier said that Palparan has always been directing soldiers to value life and protect the interest of every citizen.
He also denied reports that PA personnel assigned to the province are responsible for marking with an X-sign the houses of suspected members and supporters of the New People's Army (NPA).
Bulosan met with the residents whose houses were marked with an X-sign. He said local officials in Pampanga have been very supportive of the PA's programs, especially in its fight against communism and terrorism.
(August 21, 2006 issue)
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