Camp Lapulapu, Cebu City – The CPP–NPA in the Visayas region is fast becoming irrelevant, as a total of 8,895 Local Government Units (LGUs) have declared the terrorist group “persona non grata” within their respective political jurisdiction.
This was disclosed following the conduct of the Civil–Military Operations Coordinating Conference (CMOCC) by the Visayas Command (VISCOM) led by Lieutenant General Benedict M Arevalo PA, the Commander of VISCOM participated by all the AFP units in the Visayas region.
According to data shared by VISCOM , the 8,895 LGUs are comprised of 13 provinces, 39 cities, 364 municipalities, and 8,479 barangays. The continuous increase of localities which denounced and declared the CPP–NPA as persona non grata mans the CPP-NPA world is getting smaller and smaller everyday which is attributed to the sustained community engagement and continued implementation of the Barangay Development Program in the region.
During the conference, it was also disclosed that a total of 296 projects and programs under the Support to the Barangay Development Program (SBDP) have been implemented throughout the Visayas region, while another 418 projects and programs are currently being implemented.
Lieutenant General Benedict M Arevalo emphasized that “This huge development can be considered as another major blow against the CPP–NPA. This will definitely have an adverse effect on the terrorist group’s resource generation, which is essential for our efforts in neutralizing their support system.”
He added that “These denouncements and mass declaration in the Visayas region is a clear manifestation that our people are already fed up with the deception, treachery, and cruelty of the CPP–NPA. This will serve as a motivation for us to further boost our efforts to push the CPP–NPA on the brink of irreversible collapse.”
Just recently in an effort to tarnish the reputation of the AFP and generate support from the masses, the CPP–NPA through their affiliated progressive groups accused the AFP of harassment and perpetrating the killing of the Fausto family in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental.
Said accusation was belied by the PNP in a press briefing on Thursday, as their initial investigation shows that it was the CPP–NPA who perpetrated the massacre, based on the accounts and testimonies of several witnesses who even identified one of the perpetrators who stormed into the house of the victims.
Lt Gen Arevalo stressed that “The people are aware of the propaganda and manipulations of the CPP–NPA. They are also aware of the AFP’s strong adherence and respect to Human Rights. As such, I call upon the remnants of the CPP–NPA to stop their propaganda and take part in the government’s genuine call for peace. They should lay down their arms and return to the folds of the law while they still can.”
The declaration of persona non grata means that the CPP–NPA is unwelcomed or prohibited to enter in their jurisdiction. It is considered to be the most damning censure a locality can impose to a person or organization.
