FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija – The Commander of the 7th Infantry (KAUGNAY) Division, Philippine Army Major General Andrew D Costelo PA welcomed the support of the Elders at Sitio Coto Barangay Taltal, Masinloc, Zambales in the government’s fight to end the local communist armed conflict during a community consultation held last March 11, 2022.
The meeting aims to identify and address issues and concerns of the residents concerning the peace and development activities of the government in the area.
According to MGen Costelo, the Sitio Elders led by Mrs. Socorro Patacsil the Coto Executive Committee President have declared their full support to fight the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) and expressed their support to the peace and development efforts of the government.
“We are very happy for the support of the Sitio Elders in Masinloc, Zambales in our campaign to end this five-decade insurgency. Napakahalaga ng suporta ng taumbayan sa ating kampanya kaya naman muli naming hinihikayat ang lahat na isulong natin ang pangmatagalang kapayapaan, iwaksi ng tuluyan ang impluwensiya ng teroristang grupo, at magkaisa sa ikaka-unlad ng ating bayan,” said MGen Costelo.
It can be recalled that a Community Support Program (CSP) Team was deployed in Sitio Mandaloy last year to clear the said Sitio from the influence and presence of the CTGs. Sitio Coto is adjacent to Sitio Mandaloy and belongs to the same barangay.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Colonel Eugene Henry Z. Cabusao, the Commanding Officer, 3rd Mechanized Infantry Battalion commended the residents and local officials for their cooperation and support to the government.
During the meeting he said, “ang hangarin ng kasundaluhan ay mapanatili ang kapayapaan, seguridad at kapakanan ng bawat mamamayan dito sa inyong lugar. Kaya nagpapasalamat ako sa suporta ng mga mamamayan upang tuluyang ma protektahan at mapangalagaan ang inyong Sitio laban sa mga teroristang grupo.”
Also present during the meeting were the Sitio Elders, members of Coto Executive Committee, Brgy Officials of Brgy Taltal, School Teachers of Coto High School, and some of the residents of said Sitio.
