Seven farmers belonging to the Aniban ng Magsasaka Farmers Irrigators Association Incorporated (ANIBAN) from Balingcanaway, Tarlac, withdrew their support to the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) at Barangay Ungot, Tarlac City.
The ceremonial withdrawal of support to CTGs took place during the Inauguration of the MALAYA Cooperative Store – the farmers’ highlight as they commemorate the 18th anniversary of the Hacienda Luisita Incident.
Prior to the withdrawal of support, 37 members of the ANIBAN declared the Alyansang Magbubukid ng Gitnang Luzon (AMGL) and other front groups of the CTG as Persona-Non-Grata last week.
The Northern Luzon Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines with the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) region 3 and members of the Malayang Magbubukid ng Asyenda Luisita (MALAYA) welcomed the ANIBAN members’ withdrawal of support from the CTG and their willingness to support the government peace and development programs.
“Sa mga ANIBAN, salamat. Hindi kayo magsisisi sa ginawa niyong pagbabalik-loob” said Florida “Ka Pong” Sibayan, chairwoman of the MALAYA.
She also expressed hope that their cooperative will serve as an example that will encourage others who are still with the CTG to give up the way of violence and embrace the path of peace and development.
“Marahil ang problema natin sa lupa, lupa na iginiit ng makakabilang grupo at inudyukang labanan ang gobyerno, pero po ngayon andito ang gobyerno nakasubaybay, sila din ang makakatulong sa atin.” Sibayan added.
According to Maj Al Anthony B Pueblas the Acting Group Commander of the 1st Civil Relations Group, CRS AFP that the disaffiliated ANIBAN will undergo the process of enrolling them to different livelihood interventions offered by the different RTF ELCAC 3 agencies and will follow the footsteps of MALAYA working with the government for a just and lasting peace.
The ANIBAN is a farmers’ organization that has been exploited by the CTG front groups to conduct mass protests against the government and to push their agrarian revolution and recruitment. (VICTOR BALDEMOR RUIZ)
