ILOILO City – The Philippine Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion (IB) applauded the action of Igbaras town for declaring the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army “persona-non-grata” on Jan. 30.
Igbaras was the first town in the province this year to pass a resolution that declares communist-terrorists as “persona non- grata,” according to 61st IB commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Joel Benedict Batara.
He assured the local officials of Igbaras that the army will lend support in its mission to end local communist armed conflict.
“I am also encouraging other local government unit in the province to take a bold step against this group now, and don’t let them enter your peaceful community,” Batara said.
He urged local officials to carry on with helping the government in its fight against insurgency.
“Let us start our 2020 right. The terrorists are no longer significant and we do not want our children and the children of our children to become the next victims of their selfish and bloody armed struggle. Let’s do our share in making them forever irrelevant,” Batara said.
The resolution was passed by Igbaras Municipal Peace and Order Council, led by Mayor Jaime Esmeralda, in support of the Executive Order 70, which aims to institutionalize the whole-of-nation approach in ending local communist armed conflict activities.(With a report from PIA/PN)
