CAMP BANCASI, Butuan City – Amidst the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, more than 100 families of former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels received food aid in the highland areas of Kasilaan and Salumayag in Barangay Halapitan, San Fernando town, Bukidnon province.
Along with the workers of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Army’s 88th Infantry Battalion (88th IB) handed over the food packs to the former NPA families at the headquarters of the 88th IB at Purok 10, South Poblacion, Maramag, Bukidnon, 88th IB Civil Military Operations (CMO) officer Capt. Norven Jay Garcia told The Manila Bulletin on Friday afternoon.
The activity was attended by DSWD 10 Regional Director Mari-Flor A. Dollaga-Libang, 403rd Infantry Brigade Commander Col. Ferdinand T. Barandon and 88th IB commander Lt. Col. Franklin F. Fabic.
“The recipients of this assistance were indigenous peoples belonging to Manobo Tribe in Southern Bukidnon,” Garcia said.
Their community was cleared from Communist terrorist influence by the 88th IB through the Community Support Program (CSP) last year, the 88th IB CMO officer said.
Currently, a Mobile Community Support Sustainment Team (MCSST) of 88th IB was deployed in the area after the clearing to sustain the efforts and programs of the government and to ensure the resurgence of NPA terrorists in the area will be prevented.
“We thank the DSWD, the military, and the government that even though we used to be their opponents, they are still there and trust us. Thank you so much for the tireless support and assistance provided by the government,” Garcia said, quoting a former NPA rebel.
“Bringing the government closer to the people is the main objective of this activity. We are here, together with our soldiers, to help you. All we want is for you to have a peaceful and productive community. We are hoping for your support and cooperation for us to achieve this objective,” Dollaga-Libang also said.
“We thank our DSWD Region 10 for being our close partner in delivering government services in conflict-affected areas. Reaching out to our IP communities here in Southern Bukidnon is indeed helpful in achieving sustainable peace and productive society in the province,” Barandon also said.