COMPOSTELA VALLEY, Jan. 27 (PIA)--- Government agencies should forge
efforts and services to help indigenous peoples (IP) communities as
three out of four armed insurgents are IP recruits.
Col. Llewellyn Binasoy, 10th Inf. Div. Civil Military Operations
(CMO) Battalion commander yesterday made his call while revealing the
vulnerability of far-flung IP communities to alleged recruitment of the
New People’s Army (NPA).
In an interview, Binasoy said members of IP communities were
susceptible to believing the promise of “a better life” because of
their low level of education and literacy.
Some were convinced to join the rebel group due to the prospect of
getting involved in an adventure because they were issued firearms,
Binasoy said. “Madali pong nalinlang ang mga kapatid nating lumad,” he added.
Citing this concern, Binasoy pointed out the need for government
agencies to converge their services for IP communities while calling on
tribal chieftains and leaders to convince their fellows who joined the
rebel to go back to mainstream society for a renewed life.
He recommended rebels who would like to turn to government to avail of
the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) which extends
financial and livelihood assistance for rebel returnees and assists them
to live a normal life in mainstream society.
In his
talk, Monday, during the opening program of the Ancestral Domain
Sustainable Development and Protection Plan (ADSDPP) review conducted by
the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) 11, Binasoy urged
IP leaders to help government agencies push the crusade of establishing
peace, so eventually they can be able to deliver the needed services in
IP communities.
While saying that not the military nor the police alone can put in
place “security” in an area, he made IP leaders understand their
significant role in establishing peace and order in their community.
Binasoy asked them to strengthen their families and police their
member to prevent them from joining the rebel groups as well as find
ways to get back those recruited.
“Huwag nating hayaan na masisira ang ating pamilya. (Let’s not let our families get ruined.),” he said.
Addressing the government agencies, Binasoy pointed out the need to
educate IP communities, inform them of government services available for
them, and equip them with skills they can bank on for a living.
Meanwhile, NCIP 11 regional director Geroncio Aguio in a separate
interview cited as “good” the call of Binasoy for NPA IP recruits to
leave the rebel group and take sides with the government.
He also called on members of the IP sector to get involved with the
government in its efforts to establish peace and development in their
area.
“We have to show that we are worth the help given us,” he said.
On the other hand, Aguio encouraged government agencies to help deliver
identified needed services in IP communities. “Once given them, they
will realize the presence of the government,” he said. (PIA 11/
Jeanevive Duron-Abangan)
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