The world of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army got even smaller as authorities have considered them “persona non grata” or unwelcome persons in Ilocos Norte.
In a statement yesterday, Major Gen. Lenard Agustin, commander of the Army 7th Infantry (“Kaugnay”) Division, lauded the efforts of the local government units together with other government agencies after such development in the province.
“The declaration of Ilocos Norte against communist terrorist groups as persona non grata is a sign that they want peace to achieve a just and lasting peace. It is also like raising its banner that they will deny the entry of those who will cause chaos in the community,” he said.
“Rest assured that the 7ID, through the Wildcat Battalion, will continue to support the endeavors of the LGUs for the benefit of its constituents,” he added.
The declaration was made official through a resolution passed during the Provincial Peace and Order Council at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall, Provincial Capitol, Laoag City over the weekend.
According to Agustin, the resolution was proposed during the meeting which was attended by various stakeholders and presided over by outgoing Vice Gov. Eugenio Angelo Barba.
The resolution, Agustin added, was created in line with the Department of Interior and the Local Government Memorandum Circular No. 2018-211 which prohibits support to the Leftist rebel group, and Executive Order No. 70, signed by President Duterte in December 2018 which institutionalizes the “whole-of-nation” approach in attaining an inclusive and sustainable peace, creation of a national task force to end local communist armed conflict, and the adoption of a national peace framework.
The persona non grata tag against the communist rebels came in the heels of Duterte’s reiteration that insurgency in the country will soon end. “It is now, more than ever, that we need to work hard and work together if we are to bring the real, lasting, and meaningful change for the country,” Duterte was quoted as saying in a speech before soldiers in Camp General Vicente Lukban in Catbalogan City, Samar. (Martin Sadongdong)