10 FORMER NPA REBELS AWARDED 200K CASH ASSISTANCE IN AURORA

BALER, AURORA – Ten (10) former NPA rebels were awarded initial twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00) each with a total of two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00) from the Social Integration Program (SIP) of the Office of the Presidential Adviser for Peace Process (OPAPP) during the Aurora Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) meeting last thursday. The awarding of the initial cash assistance was spearheaded by Mr. Wary James Tayaban, representative of the OPAPP Region III and orchestrated by members of PPOC led by Hon. Bellaflor J. Angara-Castillo, Governor of Aurora and Chairperson of PPOC, COL VIC C CASTRO INF (GSC) PA, Deputy Brigade Commander of 702^nd Bde and PS/SUPT ROMULO A ESTEBAN, Provincial Director of Aurora Police Station including COL ELIAS H ESCARCHA INF (GSC) PA, Commanding Officer of 48IB and other heads of Provincial Government Agencies and representatives from the private sector.

The ten (10) former NPA rebels who successfully availed the immediate assistance from the OPAPP came from the disbanded NPA groups of Sangay ng Partido sa Platun (SPP) NORTE and CENTRAL operating in the Province of Aurora. COL CASTRO said that the remnants of the NPA bandits in the Province of Aurora will surely be persuaded to return to the folds of the law because of the strong commitment and dedication of the members of the Peace and Order Council of Aurora to help the former NPA rebels. During the meeting, localized Peace Negotiations with the remnants of the NPA Bandits and creation of a Local Social Integration Committee (LSIC) to support and monitor the former rebels were discussed as part of the formulation of a comprehensive program for former NPA rebels.

GOVERNOR CASTILLO said that the biggest challenge for the Peace and Order Council is to maintain the Insurgency-Free Status of the Province wherein last February 19, 2010 during the 31^st Founding Anniversary of Aurora, stakeholders from Provincial Government of Aurora and Commanders of 702^nd Brigade and Aurora Police Station jointly declared that the Province of Aurora is already Insurgency-Free and presented the said declaration to her excellency, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo during her visit.

Those who were awarded are Roberto Dela Cruz, Placido Campos, Gloria Lasam, Jericho Estevez, Arman Arevalo, Pinky Huego, Jestonie Vargas, Jillyboy Villaflor, Malet casamis and Maricris Payongayong.

COL ESCARCHA said that the status of Aurora as an Insurgency-Free province will be maintained if the people of Aurora will continue to make a stand against the NPA bandits and all government agencies will not lose any moment to grab every opportunity to address root causes that breeds insurgency in the Province. “ Through the PPOC, every exploitable issues will be easily addressed by the concerned agencies because a failure on the part of these agencies will possibly transformed these issues into a much bigger problem like insurgency”, COL ESCARCHA added. 

News Article from CRSAFP Website by Media Affairs Group: Aurora Province Declared Insurgency Free

CAMP AGUINALDO – Once touted as an NPA stronghold, Aurora Province is now ‘insurgency-free.  In a joint declaration last February 19, the province of Aurora has been formally declared to be free of armed insurgents; and its security responsibility turned over to the local government.

The declaration was signed by the Provincial Government of Aurora represented by Governor Bellaflor J. Angara-Castillo; by the AFP through Colonel Felicito Virgilio M Trinidad Jr, Commander of 702nd Brigade; and through Police Senior Superintendent Romulo A Esteban of Aurora Provincial Police Office.  It states that “there is no more barangay in the whole province of Aurora that is still under the influence or control of the communist terrorists and that the large-scale terrorist activities are reduced to inconsequential level”.

“The influence of the CPP-NPA is waning around the country. This can be clearly seen with the increase on the number of communities being cleared of NPA influence”, Brigadier General Francisco N Cruz Jr, Commander, Civil Relations Service said.

Before this, two Aurora towns have already been declared as NPA free.  These are the town of Dinalugan, located at the northern part of Aurora Province; and the Municipality of San Luis.  The municipal government of Dinalugan, with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police, signed a memorandum of agreement for the provincial government to take over the lead role in the Internal Security Operations (ISO); while the stakeholders of San Luis also signed a Covenant of Peace which signifies the courage and dedication of the residents of San Luis to finally end insurgency in their area by taking an active part in the counter-insurgency efforts and by strongly supporting the AFP and the PNP.

Another Aurora municipality that has been strong in condemning the NPA armed struggle is Dilasag.  In December 18 last year, thousands of participants from Dilasag barangays and their local executives, peace advocates, the religious sector, and the youth gathered together in a grand peace rally for an insurgency-free Aurora and to render full support to the government’s counter-insurgency campaign.

Now, all eight (8) municipalities of the province are declared free of insurgents. The declaration formalized the insurgency-free status of the whole province of Aurora.

Combined efforts of the AFP, PNP, and local government units (LGUs) had led to the clearing of the communities from communist terrorist (CT) influence, along with the considerable support of the people.

“This proves that though military efforts are essential in our counter-insurgency campaign; it is the holistic approach or the convergence of the many elements of government, civil society, and other stakeholders that effectively address insurgency,” conveys BGen Cruz.

With this turnover of ISO, the provincial government assumed the lead role in securing the province against any attempts of the NPA to once again infiltrate the province. Though the main thrust is upon the local government, the 702nd Brigade, 7ID will continue to address any armed remnants of the insurgents and provide assistance to the province in terms of security and socio-economic projects.

“Like the province of Aurora, more provinces will be handed over in the succeeding months.  Thus it can be said that the end is near for the local communist movement”, Cruz added.

ANOTHER TOWN IN NORTHERN AURORA FREED FROM COMMUNIST INSURGENCY

BALER, AURORA – The town of Dinalungan located at the northern part of Aurora is now declared insurgency-free after the ceremonial signing of memorandum of agreement between the Municipal Government of Dinalungan, 48^th Infantry “Guardians” Battalion and Dinalungan Police Station around 2 o’clock PM yesterday at Dinalungan Municipal Hall attended by Heads of Local Government Agencies, Barangay Leaders and other stakeholders. This is the second town in Northern Aurora to be declared free from the clutches of Communist Terrorists after decades of oppression by the NPA bandits.

LTC ESCARCHA said that the people of Dinalungan are very supportive and even excited to be part of the Insurgency-Free Aurora Movement and the Provincial Government of Aurora is now slowly taking the lead role in the counter-insurgency efforts in the Province together with the members of Aurora Police Force. The MOA signing yesterday was witnessed by Hon. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo, Governor of Aurora and PS/SUPT Romulo Esteban, Provincial Director of Aurora Police Station. The signatories of the MOA were Hon. Tito Tubigan, Mayor of Dinalungan, PI Rex Perocho, Chief of Police of Dinalungan Police Station and 1LT Ariel Lobusta, representative of 48IB. Tubigan said that his municipality was once branded as Communist Terrorist’s playground due to the frequent visibility of NPA bandits in some affected barangays because in the past years, issues affecting the people were not being addressed and that gradually weakened their stand against the NPA bandits. Tubigan stressed that the present thrust of the Local government is now changing the perception of the people and made them realized that Communist Terrorist’s influence in the area is behind the sluggish progress of Dinalungan. “The NPA bandits are no longer welcome here; the people of Dinalungan are already tired of being afraid. If the municipalities of Dilasag, Dipaculao, San Luis and Maria Aurora can unite against this insurgency menace and so can we.” Tubigan added.  

LTC ESCARCHA also said that the Local Government of Aurora seems like undergoing a complete transformation in addressing the root causes of insurgency which is further strengthened by the memorandum of agreement. “We are also appealing to our brothers and sisters who are still hiding in the mountains to come out and try to hear the voice of the people. You are only welcome in Aurora if you return to the folds of the law.” LTC ESCARCHA added.  

CHILD FRIENDLY ARMY CAMP NOW OFFICIAL CAMPING SITE FOR THE GIRL SCOUTS OF AURORA

BALER, AURORA – The child friendly camp of 48^th Infantry “Guardians” Battalion based at Barangay Calabuanan, Baler, Aurora is now declared an official camping site for the Girl Scouts of Aurora after the successful six (6) day 19^th Provincial GSP Aurora Chapter Encampment with a theme of: Girls Worldwide say, “Together we can change our world”, that was held yesterday inside the three (3) hectare army camp attended by around one thousand (1,000) junior and senior campers from different municipalities of the Province. It was the second time that the GSP council requested for the Army to host the encampment.

LTC ESCARCHA said that the level of trust and confidence of the people of Aurora to their soldiers is really getting high. “It’s so wonderful to see soldiers being the role model of the Girl Scouts and granting the request of the council, this camp will now be their official camping site.” LTC ESCARCHA added. Prominent guests and speakers like Hon. Arthur Angara, Municipal Mayor of Baler, Mr. Alex Ocampo, the Provincial Administrator and representative of Hon. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo, Governor of Aurora, Dr. Gereno Antonio, GSP-Commissioner on Administration Schools Division Superintendent and Mrs. Erlinda Esteban, the GSP Aurora Chapter Council President imparted lessons to the participants during the opening and closing ceremony. Angara said that the kind of reformation that the Army has established made a significant change in the perception of the people towards a typical army soldier. Esteban also said that the reason why they wanted to hold the encampment inside the military camp was due to the safety of the participants and the parents feel secured for their children to be guarded by the members of 48IB.

During the encampment, the soldiers shared their skills in basic first aid lessons, survival training, obstacle and rope courses, knot tying and other team building activities. The Girl Scouts even had the experience riding the V150 armored vehicle around the camp’s vicinity. One significant event hosted by the unit was the film showing activity regarding the recruitment of minors perpetrated by the Communist Terrorist. The young campers were also   taught on how to protect themselves from identified left-leaning student organizations that is considered as sources of Communist Terrorist cadres.         

LTC ESCARCHA said that making the camp an official camping site for the Girl Scouts will eventually end possible NPA recruitment of minors in the far flung barangays even if the Communist bandits will attempt to recover the Province. “We will always protect these children by teaching them on how to protect themselves and help them achieve their goals in making Aurora a better place for them.” LTC ESCARCHA added. 

NEWS ARTICLE FROM PHILIPPINE STAR BY Manny Galvez

Military, leaders of Aurora town sign covenant to end insurgency  By Manny Galvez (The Philippine Star) Updated February 06, 2010 12:00 AM

SAN LUIS, Aurora , Philippines  – Military officials, political leaders and residents of this town signed on Thursday a covenant for peace and vowed to end the communist insurgency which has stunted economic growth and development in the province over the past several years.The peace covenant was intended to address the root causes of insurgency in support of the insurgency-free Aurora campaign launched last year by the Army and the provincial government.

Lt. Col. Elias Escarcha, commander of the Army’s 48th Infantry (Guardians) Battalion, said the peace covenant was the result of his camp’s massive information dissemination campaign aimed at formulating a lasting solution to the insurgency problem in the province.

Signatories to the peace covenant were Mayor Annabelle Tangson, representing the San Luis municipal government; Senior Superintendent Romulo Esteban, provincial police director; and 1Lt.Ronaldo Ferrer, 48th IB civil-military operations officer.

The signing was witnessed by representatives of the religious and business sectors, 50 barangay leaders, and heads of various government agencies.

The covenant binds the municipal government of San Luis to take an active part in providing the basic needs ofcommunities to address the basic reasons why insurgency thrives.

Tangson said the covenant signing would signal a new milestone in the town insofar as peace and development is concerned, adding that insurgency has created an atmosphere far from conducive to economic development.

She added that the peace covenant signifies the courage and dedication of the people of San Luis to finally end the insurgency by involving themselves in activities related to internal security operations, including the counter-insurgency efforts of the Army and the police.

Esteban said unity among all sectors would help maintain peace and order amid threats from communist rebels.

The municipal government would establish an Ugnayan Center through the municipal peace and order council that would monitor the covenant’s implementation as well as a municipal socialintegration committee to facilitate a comprehensive integration plan for former rebels.

Escarcha said political will would help end insurgency in the province, adding that the San Luis townsfolk are lucky to have leaders who have the political will to end the communist reign in their localities.The peace covenant shows communist rebels that they “no longer have a place in San Luis,” he said.

COVENANT OF PEACE SIGNED AT SAN LUIS, AURORA ASSURING EVICTION OF NPA INFLUENCE IN THE AREA

BALER, AURORA – A Covenant of Peace was signed at Barangay 02, Poblacion, San Luis, Aurora around 2 o’clock PM yesterday participated by the Local Government of San Luis, 48^th Infantry “Guardians” Battalion, San Luis Police Station together with the representatives of religious and business sector which aimed for a holistic approach to end Communist Terrorist’s influence in the area. The Covenant is a mutual agreement between stakeholders of San Luis to address the root causes that breed insurgency in support to the Insurgency Free Aurora Campaign launched last year.

LTC ESCARCHA said that the Covenant of Peace was a result of the unit’s extensive information drive that made other stakeholders to understand the urgency of giving importance in formulating a long lasting solution to end insurgency. The Covenant of Peace was signed by HON. ANNABELLE C TANGSON, Mayor of San Luis, PS/SUPT ROMULO A ESTEBAN, Provincial Director of Aurora Police Station and 1LT RONALDO G FERRER, Acting Battalion Executive Officer/ Civil Military Operations Officer as the representative of the 48^th Infantry “Guardians” Battalion and witnessed by around fifty (50) participants coming from different Barangays of San Luis including Barangay leaders, heads of different agencies, representatives coming from religious and business sector. TANGSON said that the previous effects of insurgency in the municipality created an atmosphere unconducive for development. She also added that the Covenant of Peace will signify the courage and dedication of the people of San Luis to finally end insurgency by involving themselves in activities related to the Internal Security Operations specifically counter-insurgency efforts of the Army and PNP. PS/SUPT ESTEBAN on the other hand discussed the essence of unity in order to prevent criminality and urged the participants to be vigilant at all times. Some general provisions of the Covenant that were determined are the following: The Local Government Units (LGU’s) of San Luis shall continue with its active role in providing the need based projects in priority barangays and sectoral groups in order to address the basic issues in the Municipality related to insurgency, establishment of San Luis Ugnayan Center thru Municipal Peace and Order Council to monitor the implementation of the Covenant and establish Municipal Social Integration Committee to facilitate for the comprehensive integration plan of former rebels.

LTC ESCARCHA said that the people of San Luis are lucky to have leaders who have political will to end insurgency. “The Covenant of Peace is a reflection that the Communist Terrorists in San Luis are now evicted for good, voted out by the people”, LTC ESCARCHA added.      

News Article from People's Tonight by Mamer Bañez

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