The unit conducted the seminars in three batches at So Panaga, Brgy Colosas (12-18 Sept); So Butay, Brgy Tapak (19-21 Sept); and So Mangani, Brgy Tapak (22-24 Sept). The organizers also ensured the adherence of all participants to the COVID-19 health protocols during the duration of the activity.
The primary objective of the activity is to reorient the ideological mind-set of all participants, mostly Indigenous People, who are former members of the CPP-NPA-NDF shadow government in their respective areas.
The seminar also exposed the deceit and manipulations of the CTG through the testimonies of the former rebels.
Various government agencies also conducted briefings and lectures of their respective mandate and programs that could be availed by the participants.
The seminar included group activities, discussions, workshops, testimonies from former rebels, and lectures from different agencies such as the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, Department of Agriculture, City Social Welfare and Development, City Agriculture Office and City Environment and Natural Resources Office.
Each seminar culminated in a peace rally where tribal leaders of the participating Ata-Manobo communities burned a flag of the New People’s Army—signifying their denunciation of the atrocities brought by the CPP-NPA-NDF to their communities.
They also pledged allegiance to the government and vowed to become catalysts of peace and development in their respective communities.
The Peace-Building Seminar is part of the unit’s efforts to end local communist armed conflict by empowering and capacitating communities to become conflict-resilient.
The Peace-Building Seminar is part of the unit’s efforts to end local communist armed conflict by empowering and capacitating communities to become conflict-resilient.
The unit expressed its heartfelt gratitude to the local government of Davao City headed by Hon Zara Z Duterte and Barangays Tapak and Colosas for the logistics support.
The unit also extended its appreciation to the IP communities for their cooperation and active participation. It is a manifestation that indeed, they are now aware of the deceitful maneuvers of the CTG which are in the guise of protecting them but in reality was meant to impede peace and development efforts and blame it on the government.
The 89IB will continue to implement peace building seminars and the like in line with the implementation of EO 70, also known as institutionalization of the Whole of Nation Approach in attaining sustainable and inclusive peace, creating a national task force to end local communist armed conflict.
As always, Makatao will continue to perform its mandate in ensuring safety and security of the people against communist terroristic threats especially in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas in the AO.
Source: Civil-Military Operations Office, 89th Infantry Battalion, Joint Task Force Agila, PA
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete