ROXAS City – Thirteen barangays in Capiz and Iloilo provinces classified as “under the influence” of rebels joined the list of local government units (LGUs) in Panay island that have denounced the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) last month.
The villages were among the 49 barangays in Panay Island yet to be cleared from the influence of rebels, said Major Cenon Pancito III, spokesperson of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division.
Panay Island is made up of the provinces of Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, and Antique.
The goal, according to Pancito, is the “complete liberation of Panay” from the insurgents.
Of the 49 rebel-affected barangays, 43 were in Iloilo, two in Aklan, and four in Capiz.
Community support programs (CSP), the tool being used by the Philippine Army to clear the barangays, have been deployed in those villages, he said.
Declaring the NPA as persona non grata is one of the parameters in determining if a barangay has “changed its perspective”, Pancito said.
“These barangays are used as guerilla base of the enemy,” he added.
The 13 barangays that shunned the communist rebels were located in the towns of Janiuay, Maasin, and Lambunao in Iloilo and Tapaz in Capiz.
They were barangays Aglobong, Barasalon, Canauillian, Panuran, and Monte Magapa in Janiuay; Agsirab, Bagongbong, and Panuran in Lambunao; and Bolo and Punong in Maasin.
In the municipality of Tapaz, Capiz the barangays were Lahug, Nayawan and Siya.
The municipal governments of Janiuay, Maasin, Lambunao, and Tapaz previously declared the CPP-NPA persona non grata.
Residents of the 3 barangays also held an “indignation activity” – burning the CPP-NPA flags and renewing of their oath of allegiance to the republic.
“Hopefully, other barangays will do the same,” said Pancito.
The CPP-NPA, which is waging a five-decade armed struggle against the government, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (PNA)
