BAGUIO CITY(PIA) -- The 5th Infantry Division, Philippine Army continues to call for unity to fight insurgency.

5ID Commander Major General Audrey Pasia during the ”DILG-CAR @ Your Service” program, said while the influence of communist terrorist groups (CTG) is decreasing, security remains a concern of everybody. He urged the community especially the cleared areas to report to authorities any sighting or sign of CTG members returning to their area.

“Magkaroon po sana tayo ng pag-iisip na 'ayaw na namin sa inyo, huwag na ninyo kaming guluhin,' hindi po 'yung puro takot na lamang. Magtulungan po tayo. Kung meron pa hong babalik sa inyo, i-report po ninyo sa amin. The government cannot do it alone without the help of our constituents," Pasia stressed.

With the enforcement of a whole-of-nation approach, everyone plays an important role in ending insurgency and in attaining lasting peace, he said.

"Magtulungan po tayo, tulungan po natin 'yung ating  Armed Forces na masupil na po itong armadong grupo. Walang magmamalasakit at magmamahal sa Pilipinas kundi tayong mga Pilipino. Walang tutulong sa Pilipino kundi Pilipino," he enjoined.
 
Pasia said that they are also continuing their efforts, both in the red white areas, to combat insurgency. 

Red areas are those that  aim to overthrow the government through armed revolution while the white areas provide support to overthrow the government through armed revolution.
 
He shared that one of  their initiatives in red area is the five government-initiated encounters in Balbalan, Kalinga  that  resulted in the killing of two members of New People’s Army, capture of one NPA member, and the recovery of five high powered firearms, one low powered firearm, and two improvised explosive devices.
 
Government initiatives  in white areas include the creation of Joint Task Group Baguio whose mission is to prevent CTG recruitment in schools and universities in  the city o and nearby areas.
 
Pasia added that they also continue the conduct of peace rallies and peace initiatives to stop CTG recruitment and encourage CTG members to go back to the folds of the law and live a peaceful life. (JDP/DEG-PIA CAR)