The Zamboanga Del Norte Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ZDN PTF-ELCAC) of conducted Serbisyo Caravan to the residents of Barangay Sta. Maria and Barangay Tinuyop of the Municipality Leon B Postigo held February 13, 2020.
The Caravan led by Hon. Roberto Y. Uy, Provincial Governor of Zamboanga Del Norte was attended by various agencies of the National and Local Government to give various assistance to more or less 2000 beneficiaries of the said barangay. The Barangay Council and the populace of both barangays took their pledge of commitment to End local Communist Armed Conflict and denounce the Communist Party of the Philippines, National Democratic Fronts and New People’s Army followed by a commitment signing.
During the Caravan, 21 rebel returnees received 20,000.00 pesos assistance each from the province of Zamboanga Del Norte through the Office of Provincial Social Welfare and Development and four (4) rebel returnees received 50,000.00 pesos as livelihood assistance and 15,000.00 pesos as immediate assistance under the Enhance Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
Rocky (31 years old) and Marie (21 years old) two (2) former rebels who surrendered last January 30, 2020 shared their traumatic experience with members of the CPP-NPA-NDF, both are residents of Barangay Tinuyop.
“I joined the CPP-NPA-NDF last 2014 and I had suffered for almost five years. We were always hungry, had no sleep and no assurance coming back alive and being accepted by you again. Joining them was useless and provided me no directions in life” Rocky said.
While Marie said “I joined the CPP-NPA-NDF March 2017 and had a hard and tiring experience roaming around the mountains.”
Marie’s mother was very happy to see her during the activity and she expressed her gratitude to the people who convinced her daughter to surrender. Marie’s mother was hoping for eldest daughter to also surrender and come home.
“We are seeking you support for us to defeat the CPP-NPA-NDF here in order for progress and development in your barangay to take off and they are the hindrance towards great development. The government is here for you, to help you attain true progress” Col. Leonel M. Nicolas, 102nd Brigade Commander said.
Governor Roberto Y. Uy was very elated by the attendance of the people and reminded the residents of Barangay Tinuyop and Sta. Maria to follow up the projects in their community.
“I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all of you for the support and trust you have given to us and for the support that you are rendering for this activity that our beloved President had initiated. Our President is very serious in supporting this program, so if we want to have this kind of activity in the near future let us continue our support in defeating our true enemy so that progress and development will continue to enter here in your barangay” Col. Nicolas added.