NPA REJECTED. Mayor Armando Quibod of Makilala, North Cotabato (with mic) leads local officials in declaring the New People’s Army as persona non grata in all its 38 villages during a peace and order council meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2019. (Photo courtesy of Makilala LGU)
COTABATO CITY -- The municipal government of Makilala, North Cotabato, declared the New People’s Army (NPA) as persona non grata on Tuesday.
In a resolution passed during Tuesday’s Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC) meeting, village officials of the town’s 38 barangays signed the declaration expressing the local government's stand to declare the NPA unwelcome in the town.
“Do not be afraid of the NPA as they hinder the development of our town through their nefarious activities,” Mayor Armando Quibod told village leaders in the vernacular during the meeting.
In the same event, Lt. Col. Rojon Rosales, commander of the Army’s 39th Infantry Battalion, lauded the move of the Makilala town officials, saying their military unit would strive more to rid the area of NPA rebels now that they have the local villages’ support.
“With the persona non grata declaration, the NPA would surely feel it is losing its grip of the communities, particularly those in the far-flung areas,” Rosales said, referring to communist rebels operating under NPA Guerilla Front 53 in the Makilala area.
He also warned the village officials to stay away from the communist rebels as appropriate cases would be filed against them if found they are supporting the movement.
“Military intelligence reports indicated that several village officials in Makilala have been supporting the communist rebels long before. Put a stop to it or face the consequences,” Rosales said.
The NPA, together with the Communist Party of the Philippines, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (PNA)
