Ilocos Army Brigade calls on Ilocanos to be vigilant vs ‘communist virus’

By Leilanie G. Adriano (Staff Reporter)

LAOAG CITY–Army Brig. Gen. Audrey L. Pasia, the commander of the army’s 702^nd Infantry Brigade in the Ilocos Region urged all sectors of the community including government workers to be more discerning with the so-called “long-time virus” which is deadlier which is deadlier than the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

In time for the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) 52^nd anniversary on March 29, 2021, Pasia said the insurgency issue has continuously infected various sectors and the government sector is no excuse.

"All sectors—including government employees, media, church, professionals, and laborers among others have already been targets. So please, let us all be discerning. We may not know it, but they may already be in government that is bent on destroying us,” he said in a virtual presser on March 29, 2021.

Out of the 12 identified municipalities in Ilocos Sur that were earlier reported to be infiltrated by the communist rebels, Pasia confirmed there are only three remaining municipalities in these areas which are located in the boundaries of Abra and Mountain Province which have yet to be "cleared".

This however does not mean that the communist terrorists have stopped spreading their wrong ideologies, said Pasia as he called on residents to help the government forces in putting an end to this problem.

With the unified efforts of various government agencies to win back the trust and support of those who had been "victimized" by the CPP-NPA, Pasia hopes that “these individuals will now come to their senses and realize that this leftist movement against the government is not doing any good at all”.

Under the administration of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, the rebels and their supporters are encouraged to return to the fold of the law and avail of the benefits from the government under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program or E-CLIP.

E-CLIP offers various assistance to qualified former rebels such as financial, housing, livelihood, and access to government services.

At the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for example, regional director Armand Ganal said that the DOST through its program, “Community Empowerment thru Science and Technology” continues to assist at least 12 municipalities composed with 40 barangays in Ilocos Sur to avail of technology-based livelihood that suits their needs along with other priority areas such as equal access to education, health and nutrition, water and sanitation, and disaster risk reduction.

Ganal said they have partnered with other government agencies and working sectors in contributing S&T interventions to empower people and not to be swayed by communist doctrines to go against the government.

The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United Kingdom, the European Union, the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

Meantime, each of the police stations of the 21 municipalities and two cities in Ilocos Norte have also joined the nationwide simultaneous expanded caravan to end terrorism.

Among the activities include a motorcade, lectures on violence against women and children including gift-giving activities to kids who are on distance learning program.