DECLARATION.
Escalante City Mayor Melecio Yap Jr. (left) with Maj. John Mocyat, acting commander of 6th Special Action Battalion (2nd from left), and Lt. Col. Emelito Thaddeus Logan, commander of the Army's 79th Infantry Battalion (right), during the ceremonial declaration of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army as persona non grata in the northern Negros city on Monday (July 15, 2019). (Photo courtesy of 79th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army)
BACOLOD CITY -- The City of Escalante in Negros Occidental has declared the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's (CPP-NPA) persona non grata and denounced the terror group's atrocities.
The city’s move is stated in Resolution 2019-050 passed by the City Council last June 21, copies of which were released by the Philippine Army's 79th Infantry Battalion (IB) to the media on Thursday.
Officials of Escalante City headed by Mayor Melecio Yap Jr. held a ceremonial declaration during the flag-raising ceremony at the city plaza on Monday.
Yap turned over a copy of the resolution to Lt. Col. Emelito Thaddeus Logan, commander of 79IB, and Maj. John Mocyat, acting commander of the 6th Special Action Battalion, Philippine National Police-Special Action Force.
The northern Negros city is formerly a stronghold and a guerilla base of the CPP-NPA.
“This will certainly make an impact on the communities and trigger their support to the government that could possibly lead towards the long-awaited downfall of the communist-terrorist groups,” Logan said.
He lauded the “cohesive display of moral courage and bravery of the people of Escalante” and hoped it will encourage other local government units in Western Visayas to do the same.
In approving the resolution, the City Council adopted Resolution 2019-002 of the City Peace and Order Council (CPOC), stating the declaration of CPP-NPA persona non grata, denouncing their atrocities around the country, and to disallow its influence in the 21 villages of Escalante.
The resolution stated that a safe and secure environment is an important factor in fostering investment and economic growth.
“There is a need for a united and concerted effort with the police, military and civilian population for the prevention and deterrence of any terrorism, insurgency, and highly-organized crimes in the 21 barangays of Escalante City,” it added.
Last June 25, the neighboring town of Toboso also declared the CPP-NPA persona non-grata in a resolution approved by the municipal council.
The City Council of San Carlos also passed a similar resolution on May 30, denouncing the abuses and injustice perpetrated by the CPP-NPA in the country and banning their presence in the city.
The cities of Escalante, San Carlos and the municipality of Toboso are all located in the first district of Negros Occidental.
The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (PNA)
