FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija — A total of 50 officers from different People’s Organizations in Aurora converged and attended the consultation conducted by the Office of the Presidential Adviser for Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPPRU) in collaboration with the 91st Infantry (Sinagtala) Battalion, Philippine Army and was facilitated by Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) on December 2, Saturday.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Julito B. Recto Jr., Commanding Officer of 91IB, the dialogue aims to address the concerns of the federation better, the “Asosasyon ng Nagkakaisang Mamamayan para sa Kaunlaran at Kapayapaan sa Aurora” or (ANMKKA) which is composed of 18 People’s Organizations of Former Rebels and Communist Terrorist Group’s mass supporters.
“We have now the PSWDO personnel who joined here together with our officers who have decided to lay down their arms and return to mainstream society. Our government is doing its best efforts to help our FRs. It is also better if they have the knowledge and skills managing their livelihood assistance given to them,” Lt. Col. Recto said.
Lt. Col. Recto Jr. also cited the programs of OPAPPRU along with other government agencies as their collective efforts have paved the way for genuine peace and reconciliation that equipped the participants with the necessary knowledge and resources for the federation’s success.
In the unit’s commitment to attaining peace, resilience, and unity as they strive to complete the transformation of PRs, he emphasized that they must intensify their campaign to address the root cause of insurgency, rebuild the lives of the FRs, and resolve their issues and concerns.
PSWDO Chief Abigail F. Paulino expressed her commitment to assisting the federation in future endeavors.
“We in the provincial government will continue to aid the federation. The PSWDO can also give training and technical assistance to improve their livelihood and will provide you more livelihood programs,” Paulino said.
ANMKKA President Ka Edgar expressed his gratitude to the 91IB, PSWDO, and OPAPPRU for their support of the federation.
“Thank you, Lt. Col. Recto and Civil-Military Operations Officer Captain Candidato Paduman, for your continued support to us; we are so grateful for the additional knowledge about the government programs for us. It was indeed a fruitful activity,” Ka Edgar said.
Among the activities include PSWDO orientation, objective setting, a program for FRs, ratification of the constitution of by-laws, situation or FRs in Aurora (needs, negative situation, aspirations), workshop-formulation of action plan and activities, output presentation and Transformation Program Plan.
Meanwhile, the Commander of the 7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division, Philippine Army Major General Andrew D. Costelo PA, thanked the active collaboration of the OPAPPRU, 91IB, and PSWDO Aurora as they address the concerns of the People’s Organizations as part of the Transformation Program Plan.
“Your participation to this activity is important as the government through the OPAPPRU implements the Transformation Program Plan for FRs and former CTG mass supporters. Kaya naman kami ay nagpapasalamat sa inyong lahat dahil kung hindi kayo determinado na baguhin din ang landas na tinahak ninyo dati ay hindi rin ninyo makakamit ang tunay na pagbabago,” MGen. Costelo said.
