BAIS CITY, Negros Oriental, Aug. 11 (PIA) -- Officers from the Philippine National Police (PNP) extended free dental and wellness services, food packs, and used clothing to members of Indigenous Peoples (IPs) groups and other residents of Barangay Sab-ahan, this city.

The community outreach held Aug. 10 aimed to strengthen its linkage with the community and enhance its cooperation with the people in fighting criminality and insurgency in the area.

Officers from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) also joined the activity and distributed slippers to school children.

“Pinapaabot natin na ang buong gobyerno natin ay nagkakaisa para sa kanilang katahimikan, kabuhayan, at kung paano natin sila matutulungan (We would like to show the people that the government is here and united in maintaining peace and order and addressing their concerns regarding their livelihood. We would also like to know how we can help them further),” said PLTCOL. Marcial Yanguas, task force commander of the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) of the PNP Provincial Police Office.

The activity also aimed to spread awareness on the government’s Anti-Terrorism Awareness campaign especially among IP members in the said barangay.

“Nakita natin na sila ang most vulnerable na ni-rerecuti ng ating mga Kalaban New People’s Army (NPA), yung mga Communist – Terrorist – Group (These IP groups are the most vulnerable when it comes to recruitment schemes of the NPA – Communist-Terrorist-Groups),” Yanguas added.

PNP officials also shared some of the recruitment and operational schemes of the alleged terrorist group and some atrocities committed by them.

Villagers were also urged not to give support to the said group.

Officials from the provincial government and local government units and representatives from national government agencies also attended the event.

Other IP groups from different parts of the province also participated in the activity.

More than 3,000 residents of Brgy. Sab-ahan, IP groups, and nearby communities were served by police officers during the said activity. 

The outreach activity was highlighted by the conduct of IP games like fastest puso-making contest, corn grinding contest using traditional tools, and  traditional niluyang (mashed banana) making contest.

Members of the Ata IP group also performed a Kinalasag War Dance to showcase the culture and heritage of IPs in the said city.

The PNP hopes they were able to show to the people through this activity that they can trust them in maintaining the peace and order in their community. (RAL/PIA7 Negros Oriental)