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.