Indignation rallies in the Cordillera
Thousands of residents in the different parts of the Cordillera have staged on Thursday indignation rally to denounce the presence and atrocities of the Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs) in the region.
Over seven thousand individuals from the Local Government Units (LGU), Non-Government Organizations (NGO), and various community sectors from 70 municipalities including Baguio City participated in the activity carrying tarpaulins and placards showing their desire to end the extortion, harassment, and violence caused by the CTGs.
PBGen Israel Ephraim Dickson, Director of the Police Regional Office Cordillera (PROCOR), said the movement, which was spearheaded by the LGUs, was aimed to encourage all the people to support the government in its campaign to put an end to the local communist armed conflict.
“In as much as the PNP and AFP are at the forefront in the combat against terrorist groups, the PNP’s role in this mobilization is to ensure that the activities will be carried out peacefully. Many have suffered and countless lives have been sacrificed because of the unlawful acts of these rebel groups. Now, we show through this rally that cordillerans are united in this cause and that we are dead serious in the fight against terrorism and all forms of violence that affect the lives of the people and the development of our communities,” he said.
He also urged the people, especially the youth, to educate themselves about the CTGs and not to fall to their deceptive strategies of recruiting new members of their group.
The indignation rally, which is a national simultaneous protest action against the CTGs, was organized by the LGUs in coordination with the PNP, NGOs, stakeholders, and other cause-oriented groups to respond to the 51st anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
