SANTA ANA, Cagayan (PIA) - - Youth members of the Kabataan Kontra sa Droga at Terorismo (KKDAT) from this province hold a peace rally to reject the “terrorist agenda” of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its allied organizations on Wednesday.

About 70 members of KKDAT Cagayan, including other peace advocates, marched along the Santa Ana town proper and converged before evening across the public market in a ‘show of force’ against the CPP.

The KKDAT is an active youth organization convened by the Philippine National Police (PNP) aims to educate young people about the effects of terrorism, violent extremism, and the abuse of illegal substance.

The activity was part of the three-day Provincial KKDAT Summit conducted to engage the organization’s members through series of sessions facilitated by representatives of national government agencies particularly those members of the different clusters of the Cagayan Valley RTF-ELCAC.

During the peace rally, the youth leaders carried placards as they denounced the terrorist activities, as well as the continuing recruitment of youth by the reds.

They also burned the flags of the CPP-NPA-NDF to symbolize their continuing protest and rejection of the “communist ideology.”

Angelica Lappay, SK Federation president of Allacapan town and the concurrent KKDAT president, urged her fellow youth leaders to continue advocate the government’s thrust to end local communist armed conflict and support the many activities and programs of Cagayan PNP relative to ending terrorism and use of illegal substances.

“Let us support the PNP in promoting peace and order for a ‘Naisem a Cagayan’,” said Lappay.

For his part, Lt. Col.  Emil Q. Pajarillo, Provincial Community Affairs Division Unit (PCADU) chief, lauded the active participation of the KKDAT in the province highlighting that they have been contributory to the successful conduct of activities particularly CPPO’s Lingkod Bayanihan.

“Hindi namin kayo pinilit at nagagalak ako na nakikita kong boluntaryo kayong nakikiisa upang tuldukan na ang terorismo sa bansa Pajarillo said.

(We don’t forced you but I am elated to see that you are voluntarily manifesting your support to end terrorism in the country.)

On the other hand, a rebel returnee named as alias ‘Jethro’, said he saw how rebel units preyed on people in remote communities, causing their situation to further regress throughout the years.

Alias ‘Jethro’, now is an a active peace and development advocate, cited the recruitment of the youth, especially students, and those from the vulnerable sectors by members of its allied progressive organizations to join the NPA.

The peace rally also staged releasing of doves to call for long lasting peace. (MDCT/PIA Cagayan)