BUENAVISTA, Agusan del Norte – The 23rd Infantry (Masigasig) Battalion (23IB), Philippine Army in partnership with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte and the Higaonon tribe participated in the inauguration of interim barangay officials held in Sitio Bokbokon, Barangay Lawan-lawan on Friday, July 9, 2021.

The induction was led by Mayor Avelina Rosales together with the tribal leaders of Higaonon tribe and 23IB Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Julius Cesar C. Paulo.

Sitio Bokbokon was once a guerilla base of the Communist New People’s Army (NPA) Terrorist (CNT) but was won over by the government. It is considered vulnerable to the exploitation and manipulation of the CNTs. For years, the IP residents in the area have suffered from armed conflicts due to the terroristic activities and became peaceful after the residents openly denounced and withdraw their support to the communist movement.

Series of immersion activities, including Serbisyo Caravans, were conducted by the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) of Agusan del Norte last March 9-10 2021 in the said Sitio. The immersion activities were made possible through the convergence of the Province of Agusan del Norte led by Gov. Dale B Corvera, the LGU of Las Nieves, the 23IB, and the different line agencies of the government. The activities were aimed to make the residents of Sitio Bokbokon feel the presence of the government including its programs and services.

Mayor Rosales, in her message, recognized the overall performance of the 23IB and appreciated the efforts of the military unit in addressing insurgency threats in the province of Agusan del Norte while at the same time helping far-flung communities by conducting civil-military operations (CMO) activities. The Las Nieves mayor added that they have facilitated the implementation of programs and projects in the remote areas of Las Nieves, including the construction of farm-to-market roads. These roads, she emphasized, linked the far-flung communities to other villages and town centers and attracted better opportunities such as investments and livelihood programs for the people in the area. The roads also allowed government services to reach villagers who for years were blinded by the false propaganda of the CNTs, Rosales said.

Datu Ronald S. Manhumosay, the IP Mandatory Representative of CADT 118 thanked the government for the never-ending services that helped their community eradicate the causes of communist insurgency.

“Ang pag paningkamot nato nag bunga ug maayo. Ang pag pahiyom sang matag-usa ka myembro naghatag sa kinatibok-an ug dakong kalamposan ug inspirasyon para magpadayon sa atoang gi panumpaan na obligasyon para makab-ot ang kalinaw ug kalamboan sa atoang kuminidad,” Datu Manhumosay said.

Lt. Col. Paulo emphasized the sincerity of the government in ending the decades of insurgency and help uplift the lives of the people in IP communities in Agusan del Norte.

“The sincerity of the government to end local armed conflict is also one way of preventing the CNTs’ deceptive recruitment in the area as well as to prevent their recovery of efforts from their former mass bases. The intensified development and peace-building initiatives like these anchored in Executive Order No. 70 paved the way to an inclusive and sustainable peace we all aimed for,” Paulo said.

“With everyone on board, we can make our job as protector of the community and people easier. Let us continue to inculcate a culture of cooperation towards a peaceful and progressive area,” he added.

He also urged the LGU officials and the Higaonon tribe to strengthen their ties with the unit in securing peace through sustainable development in Las Nieves and the rest of Agusan del Norte. (2Lt. Angel Grace M. Sebelina, CMO Officer, 23IB PA/PIA Agusan del Norte)