A MUNICIPALITY in Surigao del Sur has declared communist groups and 11 other organizations as persona non grata.
The Municipal Council of Tagbina, Surigao del Sur passed a resolution declaring the “members of the Communist Party of the Philippines, New Peoples’ Army and National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) and their front organizations as persona non grata in the entire municipality”, during the conduct of the second Quarter 2019 Municipal Peace and Order Council Meeting (MPOC).
The other organizations covered by the declaration are Kahugpungan sa Mag-uuma sa Surigao Sur (KAMASS), Alliance of Concern Teachers (ACT), Karapatan, Anakpawis, Anakbayan, Bayan Muna, Gabriela, League of Filipino Students (LFS), Rural Missionary of the Philippines (RMP), Bagong Alyansang Makabayan and Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) as unwelcome in the entire municipality.
Tagbina is the first municipality in the province of Surigao del Sur to make such a declaration, according to the military’s 4th Infantry Division.
Mayor Generoso Naraiso said the declaration shows their desire to eradicate the presence of these groups in his town.
“As much as we want peace and order, this declaration shows our utmost desire to completely eradicate the presence of terrorists groups that cause oppression, panic and chaos here in our municipality,” Naraiso said.
Lieutenant Jaime Datuin, commanding officer of the 75th Infantry Battalion, meanwhile thanked the town for supporting their “anti-terrorism efforts.”
“I am grateful for the decision made by the local chief executives backed by full support of the council. We should toe the line in the government’s fight against terrorism. Your security forces, the 75IB together with the Philippine National Police will be doing our best to prevent the atrocities and crimes of the terrorist groups that hampers the lives of peace loving populace and hinders development in the area,” he said.
Datuin urged all other municipalities to declare the same “in the pursuit to peace and economic development.”