Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Military official points out necessity of gov’t service convergence for IPs

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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