PEACE loving residents and local officials have joined the simultaneous peace rallies denouncing the atrocities of the New People's Army (NPA) in the province of Sultan Kudarat.
The Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) said the peace rallies were held simultaneously on Tuesday, March 29, in the villages of Sabanal and Hinalaan, Kalamansig town, and Dumolol, Tibuhol, Batang Baglas, and Midol villages in Palimbang municipality.
Former NPA rebels and Lumads have joined the rallies, as well as military troops under the 4th Civil Relations Group led by Major Andrew Linao and 37th Infantry Battalion headed by Lieutenant Colonel Allen Van Estrera.
Major General Juvymax Uy, Joint Task Force Central commander, commended the troops who assured the successful conduct of the simultaneous peace rallies.
"We are doing this to encourage more people to support us in our quest for indestructible peace in the province of Sultan Kudarat," Uy said.
"We also would like to express our condemnation of the inhumane attacks of the communist terrorist group that has ruined the lives of the peace-loving people of Mindanao for 53 years," Uy added.
Highlights of the rallies were the burning of NPA flags and a peace march wherein people conveyed their messages through the placards they brought along with them.
"We all aim for genuine peace in our respective communities. We will be able to achieve this if we will continue to unite and let our calling for peace be heard," said Lieutenant General Alfredo Rosario Jr., Westmincom chief. (SunStar Zamboanga)