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Tribal leaders declare Reds persona non grata

By Che Palicte

November 17, 2019, 4:47 pm

<p><strong>PERSONA NON GRATA</strong>. Tribal leaders of Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte town signed a resolution declaring the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) as 'persona non grata', on Saturday (Nov. 16, 2019). Apart from the terrorist group, their allied organizations and supporters were also declared unwelcome. <em>(Photo courtesy of Sto. Tomas MIO)</em></p>

PERSONA NON GRATA. Tribal leaders of Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte town signed a resolution declaring the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) as 'persona non grata', on Saturday (Nov. 16, 2019). Apart from the terrorist group, their allied organizations and supporters were also declared unwelcome. (Photo courtesy of Sto. Tomas MIO)

DAVAO CITY -- Tribal leaders of Talaingod and Sto. Tomas towns in Davao del Norte on Saturday signed a resolution declaring the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) persona non grata.

The declaration was held during the IP Leaders Forum in Sitio Talos, Barangay San Jose, Sto. Tomas town, where a total of 10 tribal leaders of Ata-Manobo from Talaingod, Davao del Norte and three Indigenous People (IP) Mandatory Representatives made the decision.

A statement sent on Sunday said apart from the CPP-NPA-NDF, allied organizations, other terrorist groups and their supporters were also declared unwelcome by the tribal leaders.

Sto. Tomas Municipal Administrator Elisa Evangelista-Lapiña said the gathering of the IP leaders and the declaration was an indispensable move to maintain the “peace and harmony” that the tribal community has long enjoyed for decades.

“We are sending them [Reds] a message that they are not welcome here. The tribal leaders and the Ata-Manobo tribes have spoken up. The Reds should heed their decision,” Lapiña said.

She also told the IP leaders that the move was essential in order to end the influence of the communists in tribal communities and further prohibit them from exploiting the indigenous peoples.

“Their declaration was actually a manifestation of their desire to have a just and lasting peace in their community. We, in the government, would strive really hard to support them by making all the social services accessible to them,” she said.

Lapiña vowed to bring the social services in the said barangay through "Dangpanan ni Tomas", the social arm and working office of her mayor-father Ernesto Evangelista.

“Dangpanan ni Tomas has been re-calibrated. In the coming months, we will add more services so that we could maximize its presence in the communities,” she said.

Meanwhile, during the forum, Lt. Col. Silas Trasmontero, commander of the Army's 89th Infantry Battalion and other key officials, gave a security update to the tribal leaders and witnessed the ceremonial signing of the “persona non grata” covenant.

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)

 

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