The City of San Carlos in Negros Occidental has formally declared the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) as persona non grata.
On Monday, city officials, led by Mayor Renato Gustilo and Vice Mayor Christopher Carmona, initiated the ceremonial signing of the mounted copy of the resolution stating such declaration, which was unanimously adopted by the City Council on September 12.
Resolution No. 19-252 said that “(t)he Sangguniang Panlungsod as the legislative department of the local government hereby signifies its sentiment not to welcome nor accept any advocacies of the CPP-NPA, the members of the latter being an enemy of the state”.
It added that the Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion (79IB) endorsed to and coordinated with the City Council the passage of the resolution to declare members of the CPP-NPA persona non grata in the northern Negros city.
During the signing ceremony held after the flag-raising rites at the City Hall grounds, the city officials were joined by department heads, barangay officials, police, jail and military officials.
Lt. Col. Emelito Thaddeus Logan, commanding officer of 79IB, also signed the resolution.
“San Carlos City, Negros Occidental adheres to the principle of peace and order as an indispensable element to the development and progress of the city and thus, condemns any illegal and unlawful activities of the CPP-NPA as it threatens the economic, social and political stability of the city and its people,” the resolution further stated.
San Carlos City is the hometown of Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, who also served as its mayor before he was elected provincial government official.
Copies of the resolution have been furnished to the city mayor, city legal officer, city director of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, officials of the city’s 18 barangays, and the 79IB troops for information.
Last May 30, the City Council of San Carlos initially passed Resolution No. 19-139, denouncing the atrocities of communist terrorist groups in the different areas of the country, and not allowing their presence in their city.
The City Council then stated that they want to maintain the situation in their city where there are no reports of such acts of the communist-terrorist group.
The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (Nanette Guadalquiver PNA via NDB)