TADIAN, Mtn. Prov.– At least 57 residents of Tadian, Mountain Province who used to be supporters and sympathizers of the Communist Party of the Philippines, New People’s Army and National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) dubbed as Underground Mass Organization (UgMO) had voluntarily withdrawn such support and officially pledged their allegiance to the government in a program held at Barangay Sumadel, Tadian, Mountain Province on October 28, 2021.
The activity was the result of a joint series of negotiation efforts in the three barangays of Batayan, Bantey and Sumadel, Tadian, Mtn. Province by the Community Support Program Operators (CSP) from Alpha Company, 69IB, 71 ID headed by 1st LT ROGELIO S. RECTO JR., and CSP from 1502nd MC, Regional Mobile Force Batallion headed by PCAPT GRAEME BOY JAVIER with the support of the Tadian Municipal Police Station headed by PLT DENIO GATAWA PACIO and Mountain Province Police Provincial Office Director PCOL RUBEN B. ANDISO in their campaign against insurgency and to encourage the CPP-NPA-NDF to return to the fold of the law.
The pledge of allegiance by the 57 former UgMO was presented by 1st LT Rogelio S. Recto Jr. and officiated by Hon. Johnson W. Balaoas, Tadian Municipal Councilor, after an overview of EO number 70 was explained by the Municipal Local Government Officer of Tadian LGU, Mr. Perry D. Bacwadan,
During the program, Commanding Officer of Alpha Company, 69IB, 71 ID, PA LIEUTENANT COLONEL MARCELO F VALDEZ JR. expressed his gratitude to the former UgMO supporter for voluntarily taking their oath in favor of the government. He explained that CPP members are professional swindlers who had been taking advantage of innocent people to try to destroy/dismantle the government and grab political power. He further encouraged the participants to be wiser these coming 2022 national and local elections on who to support and vote for. There are many ways to distinguish left leaning candidates and party list so be cautious, he added.
On the part of the Mountain Province Police Provincial office, the mastermind of OPLAN BINNAGA, PCOL RUBEN B. ANDISO delivered also his inspiring message to the participants. In his speech, he assured the participants that the government is not blaming them for their previous involvement with left-leaning groups because they are just victims of misinformation. He further encouraged the public to participate in solving the real existing problem within their community and incoming problems that maybe brought by natural disasters. Ending the support of the community will weaken these CPP-NPA-NDF.
Also present during the program who expressed his support to the participants was Commanding Officer of 702nd Infantry (Defender) Brigade, 7ID LTC RECARDO GARRY B GARCIA III. LTC Garcia congratulated the participants in starting to truly live peacefully.
Moreover, also present during the activity who expressed their support in EO #70 are Mr. Angel Baybay and Mr. Roy Magalgalit who represented Mountain Province Provincial Governor Bonifacio Lacwasan and Tadian Mayor Constito S. Masweng.** ArisOCB
