TACLOBAN CITY (PIA) -- Some 93 individuals from four (4) mass organizations in the municipality of Alang-Alang, Leyte, joined the indignation rally held in the town on Thursday to signify their official withdrawal of support from the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG).
Highlight of the rally was a formal manifesto containing a declaration that denounced the alleged deception and terroristic activities of the CTG.
The manifesto was signed in the presence of Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho L. Petilla, Alang-Alang Mayor Lovely Yu-Castro, 8th ID Commander Major General Camilo Z. Ligayo, 802nd IB Commander Brig. General Noel A. Vestuir, NICA Regional Director Eustacio Bacabac, TESDA Regional Director Ramon Ruiz, PSA Regional Director Wilma Perante, CDA OIC Regional Director Venus Jornales, and other heads and representatives of various agencies who are members of the Regional Task Force 8 to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF8-ELCAC) held at the Alang-Alang gym.
This, after they have formally abandoned their former CTG-led organizations identified as Alang-Alang Small Farmers Association (ASFA), Salvacion Coconut Farmers Association (SALCOFA), Alyansa han Gugti na Asosasyon han Parag-uma han Tabanguhay (AGAPITA) and Bigaa Samahan han Gugti nga Parag-Uma han Asosasyon ngan Katig-uban ha Alang-Alang (BISAKA).
On the same occasion, they also took allegiance to the government as they became members of the Alang-Alang Integrated Peace and Development Workers Association.
In her welcome message, Alang-Alang Mayor Lovelle Ann Yu-Castro expressed her commitment of support to them as their barangays will be prioritized in the implementation of the LGU’s programs and projects.
“It is with strong commitment and support not only in the infra projects but also in our livelihood programs,” Yu said.
The sympathizers or CTG supporters all came from four (4) barangays of the municipality, namely: Tabangohay, Salvacion, San Antonio and Langit.
For his part, Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho L. Petilla assured them that the provincial government of Leyte together with the national agencies are one in providing them the services as he thanked them for going back and trusting the government.
The governor was elated upon seeing at the ceremony that member-agencies of the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF8-ELCAC) through its regional heads and representatives were all united and gathered.
“Natutuwa ako pagdating ko kanina na ang daming ahensyang kasama kung saan makakatulong ang mga ito sa mga kailangan nila tulad ng livelihood, trainings at iba pa,” the governor said.
In a separate interview, Major General Camilo Z. Ligayo, commander of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division believes that the withdrawal of support of the CTG sympathizers is the result of the concerted efforts of the RTF-ELCAC through the whole-of-nation approach anchored on good governance.
“And of course anduon ang EO 70. Ang EO 70 naman ay good governance, magagaling ang nasa government ngayon, of course ang president natin, sila mayor, sila governor so good governance yun talaga,” Ligayo said.
Serapeon Jongco alias Mark who served the CTG for many years shared his background to the local media and how he came to realize that working for them has become meaningless as their direction is no longer clear.
Jongco is a 4th year engineering student in one of the schools in Tacloban City when he underwent a combat training in Basey, Samar and became a full-time member of the CTG for many years.
He thanked the military troops for helping him return to the folds of the law.
"Were it not for the military troops who are primarily responsible for the enlightenment of my mind, I won’t be here today,” Jongco said. (MMP/CBA/PIA-8)
