FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija — The Commander of the 7th Infantry (KAUGNAY) Division, Philippine Army, Major General Andrew D. Costelo PA at the same time sitting as Chairperson of the Regional Task Force to End the Local Communist Armed Conflict – Region 3 (RTF-ELCAC 3) Technical Working Group (TWG), lauded the continued efforts of the Situational Awareness and Knowledge Management (SAKM 3) Cluster as they intensify its conduct of Awareness Campaign on CTG’s infiltration in Aurora on February 23, 2022.
The SAKM -3 Cluster led by NICA Regional Director Maria Luisa De Guzman in collaboration with the 91st Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army conducted lectures on CTG Infiltration to all Barangay Captains, Committee Chairman of Peace and Order, and Sangguniang Kabataan Chairpersons at Laang-Sibol Hall, Camp Jaime Bitong, Brgy Calabuanan, Baler, Aurora.
LTC Reandrew P. Rubio, Commanding Officer of 91IB, said that the activity aims to increase the awareness of the Barangay and SK Officials on the importance of NTF-ELCAC and the CTGs infiltration to bureaucracy.
“Aurora has the lowest rate in terms of criminal offenses and so with the Komiteng Larangang Guerrilla Sierra Madre (KLG-SM) of the communist terrorist group, being dismantled since last year. The KLG-SM were out-numbered with 12 members remaining,” said LTC Rubio.
The Commander of the 703rd Infantry (AGILA) Brigade, Colonel Joseph Norwin D. Pasamonte, on the other hand, said that the initiative is vital in the fight of the government against the communist insurgency as the local officials has a huge role also in informing its constituents about the evils of the CTG.
During the activity, two Former Rebels shared their experiences while inside the terrorist organization and how the members deceived the innocent civilians to convince them to join the group.
“The terrorist group agitates the people to destroy the good image of the government. The people should be aware of this group that only sows terror in our community,” the one FR said.
