The Ovu-Manobo tribe of Barangay Tambobong, Baguio District, holds rally against the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP-NPA) on Monday. (Photo courtesy of the 3rd IB)
DAVAO CITY – The chief of the Army's 3rd Infantry Battalion has lauded the Ovu-Manobo tribe for "standing up" against the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People Army (CPP-NPA), as he underscores the role of Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in the government's campaign against communist insurgency.
Lt. Col. Oscar Partuza, 3IB commanding officer, said Tuesday he was elated with the outcome of the three-day peacebuilding seminar attended by tribal communities that concluded Monday here.
Attended by over 600 participants, the seminar resulted in the declaration of the CPP-NPA as "persona non grata" in the tribe's ancestral domain in Barangay Tambobong, Baguio District, here. The seminar also saw the surrender of hundreds of underground supporters among the IP group.
"It’s not the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines and PNP (Philippine National Police) alone that must address the issue on peace, security, and insurgency--it should be a whole nation approach wherein all stakeholders must take part in it," Partuza said.
Partuza thanked Mayor Sara Duterte and the city government for supporting the peacebuilding seminar, and for the Ovu-Manuvu Tribal Council of Elders for organizing the activity.
First Lt. Marcelo Amora, civil-military operations officer of 3IB, said the seminar also became a venue for local officials and government agencies to be aware of the current security situation in the city's upland villages.
Amora said the initiative resulted in the convergence of government services to help address the basic needs of the hinterland residents, who are vulnerable to the recruitment of the NPA. (PNA)
