NO TO TERRORISM. A group of Subanens of the Zamboanga Peninsula and Misamis Occidental area, install a billboard in Barangay Cunacon, Bayog, Zamboanga del, to express their support to the passage of the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020. The group also declared the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front as persona non grata within their ancestral domain. (Photo courtesy of the Army's 44th Infantry Battalion)
ZAMBOANGA CITY – A group of Subanen tribal leaders in the Zamboanga Peninsula and Misamis Occidental province have expressed support to the passage of the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.
At the same time, they also declared the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) as persona non grata inside their ancestral domain.
Lt. Col. Don Templonuevo, Army’s 44th Infantry Battalion (44IB) commander, said Tuesday that Timuay Lucenio Manda, Subanen tribal chieftain of Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur and Timuay Basilio Promon, led the installation of billboards publicly manifesting their persona non grata declaration against the CPP-NPA-NDF.
Templonuevo said the billboards were installed over the weekend in Barangay Cunacon, Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur.
In a video message, Manda said their support to the passage of the anti-terrorism bill and declaration of persona non grata against the CPP-NPA-NDF is their way of expressing gratitude to the national government's support for the tribe.
Manda assured the IP leaders in the entire Zamboanga Peninsula and Misamis Occidental that they will support any community development programs of the national government.
He also lamented that Subanens had been victims of NPA terror activities.
Meanwhile, Promon also called on the other tribal leaders and other sectors to support the passage of the anti-terrorism bill.
“I encourage you to support the anti-terrorism bill since it can help to our tribes as well as the other rural dwellers,” Promon said.
Senator Vicente Sotto III said Tuesday the anti-terrorism bill has been passed by the leaders of both houses of Congress and will be transmitted to President Rodrigo Duterte for signature.
The CPP-NPA-NDF is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. (PNA)
