PEACE AT LAST…FEAR NO MORE!

“I can now play safely and freely in the fields while I watch my parents plowing our farmland without fear of being hurt or harassed by bad guys!”, says an eight-year old Mary Mae Rebado of Brgy. Gubatan of Magpet town in North Cotabato. Her parents, Rudy and Rema said they had been enduring a restful environment with the presence of government troops securing the whole town of Magpet.

“Their presence really helped us through with our daily routines especially that we attend to our farm fields everyday. All our sweats paid off knowing the fact that we got what we’ve worked hard for during harvest seasons” Rema said owing their security to the state forces, particularly the 57th IB present in their barangay. Her husband, Rudy disclosed that said troops helped in the reactivation of the barangay defense system which is vital in maintaining peace and security in the area. “The troops taught us on the basics of security measures and defense structures which is very instrumental in minimizing untoward circumstances in our barangay” he said. In fact, violent incidents have tremendously decreased Magpet town since defense system was reactivated in the majority of its barangays.

Meanwhile, Mayor Romulo Tagpos of Arakan, North Cotabato lauded the presence of army’s 57th IB in his town saying that the troops’ deployment has decreased communist insurgencies in Arakan. He noted that almost 400 lumads from the villages of Sto. Niño, Tumanding, Mari Caridad, Kinawayan, Kabantian, Duruluman, and Malibatuan all of Arakan town left their homes when Reds continuously harassed them.

Enrique Kewing, a Manobo from Brgy. Durulaman stated that they have now returned to their respective houses upon learning that government forces have been deployed in their barangay. “We can sleep comfortably every night because we know that we are now safe”, he said. Mr. Kewing also disclosed that majority of the barangay officials and residents recently wrote a petition for the retention of army’s 57th IB in the area.

Mayor Tagpos stated that the absence of government troops in most areas of Arakan will surely pose a threat to the security and safety of his constituents as Reds will again resume its hostile activities. He further said that the deployment of the troops in his town was based on the persistent request of local and tribal leaders of his municipality purposely to ensure safety of all the constituents. He also said that the military’s deployment in the area has neither political color nor giving protection in favor of some multi-national investors. “They are just here to serve and secure our people”, the Municipal Chief Executive said.

“The troops also help in the fast and timely delivery of various services of our municipal council while they secure vital installation of my town. In fact, they are very instrumental in the success of the Water System Development Project-Level II in Sitio Guitawan, Poblacion, Arakan which was recently turned-over by Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to the Local Government Unit of Arakan”, Mayor Tagpos added.