LUISSE RUTAO
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO- Arm Forces of the Philippines (AFP) recently urged Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda and local chief executives to approve a resolution condemning the activities and operations of the members of Communist Party of the Philippines and New People’s Army (CCP-NPA) and declaring them as persona non grata (unwelcomed or unacceptable) in Pampanga.
During the recent direction-setting and interfacing of Governor Delta with the Pampanga mayors held at the Executive House here, Governor Delta and most of the Mayors bared their commitment in supporting the resolution granting CPP-NPA as persona non grata in the province.
Governor Delta said that it is the provincial governments’ initiative to ensure the general welfare of the people and to show their support to President Rodrigo Duterte’s fight to end communist- terrorist insurgency which has been undertaken for 50 years now.
“Dito sa Pampanga, iimplement natin ang resolusyon na iyan para masiguro ang kapayapaan at kaligtasan sa ating probinsya,” Governor Delta pointed.
It can be recalled that during the incumbency of then Governor Lilia G. Pineda, now Vice Governor, the AFP declared that “Pampanga is insurgency-free and ready for further development.”
Once the resolution is signed, members of CPP-NPA will be officially no longer welcome in the province of Pampanga.
Under the resolution, Pampanga condemns “the use of violence, threats, and intimidation made by the CCP-NPA in pursuit of its agenda and recognizes their presence as a hindrance to further the peace and development in the province.”
Lieutenant Colonel Felix Valdez, 78th Infantry Battalion Commander of the Arm Forces of the Philippines, meanwhile commended the Provincial Government for its immediate action in hearing out their call to ensure the safety and general welfare of people living in the area of Pampanga.
Consequently, Governor Delta reiterated that it is their mandate as leaders of the government to protect the economic, social and political stability of the province and of its people.
“Tungkulin natin bilang mga lider na panitiliing payapa at ligtas ang ating porbinsya mula sa mga taong naninira rito. Magkaisa tayong lahat. Inaasahan ko ang suporta ng bawa’t isa para maisakatuparan ito,” he furthered.
In recent years up to date, CPP-NPA including its front groups and affiliates, have continuously advocated and committed attacks, both against the people and the property, of government entities and private citizens.
The resolution is in line with the presidential directive of President Duterte’s Executive Order No. 70 which he signed in December 2018. The said executive order seeks to establish a whole-of-nation approach in ending local communism.
Furthermore, the Governor also advised the local chief executives to include the resolution as part of their development plans in their respective municipalities.#
