By Malu Manar
KIDAPAWAN CITY – Mayor Jonathan Mahimpit of President Roxas, North Cotabato has led his constituents in declaring the New People’s Army (NPA) ‘persona non grata’ in his town.
New People's Army (MANILA BULLETIN)
Mahimpit declared his anti-communist guerilla stance in a simple convocation program with a theme, “Pagkakaisa ng mga Mamamayan Susi sa Kaunlaran (People’s Unity Key to Progress) held at the municipal gym on Monday.
After his speech, Mahimpit and his supporters burned the red flag of the NPA as proof the people has already rejected its ideology.
Reports from the intelligence community said the rebels still enjoy the support of the residents, whom they call the “masses” or “people from the grassroots.”
“In fact, they have established bases in many barangays of President Roxas,” said the report.
But declaring them ‘persona non grata’ meant, these rebels are no longer welcome in his town, the mayor told his constituents.
This as 230 former guerillas yielded to authorities, many of them were town residents. They also surrendered their firearms to the local Army unit.
Mahimpit assured these former rebels of financial assistance through the national government’s Comprehensive Livelihood Integrated Program.
President Roxas is located at the hinterland of North Cotabato and is part of the Arakan Valley Development Complex.