EMC encourages starving NPA to surrender amid COVID-19

NSFA, Panacan, Davao City - Amidst the crisis brought about by the COVID-19, MGen. Jose C. Faustino Jr., the Commander of Eastern Mindanao Command (EMC) challenges the starving members of the New People’s Army (NPA) to surrender and avail the Government's Enhanced Local Integration Program and other Social Programs instead of harassing communities and grabbing their relief goods.
"Instead of harassing and grabbing the relief goods of the communities and adding to their misery, it is better for the NPA members to surrender and avail the Government's Enhanced Local Integration Program and other Government Social Programs. We have a caring government that attends to the need of every citizen of this country in times of crisis," MGen. Faustino Jr. said.

The challenge came after troops under the EMC figured in series of encounters after responding to reports that several members of the NPA are harassing the communities in Barangay Cuyago, Jabonga, Agusan Del Norte on April 13, 2020, and in Barangay Mahan-ub, Baganga, Davao Oriental on April 11, 2020. Previously, an encounter also transpired in Barangay Tagdangwa, Pantukan, Davao De Oro on April 7, 2020, after an AFP-PNP Inter-Agency group responded to a reported NPA extortion in the said area.

Relatedly, MGen. Faustino Jr. in his directive lauded the efforts of the different units in Eastern Mindanao in supporting the different LGUs in their initiatives against COVID-19. He also reminded them of their task in securing the communities from the terroristic acts of lawless armed groups.

"Let us continue to support the Local Government initiatives and programs to prevent the spread of the virus and mitigate its social and economic impact without compromising the security of our communities from possible terroristic acts," MGen. Faustino Jr. directed.

Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command. AFP