“People of Maco, Compostela Valley Province Unites for Peace”

Mawab, ComVal Province - A rally for peace and development was held on February
6, 2011, at Brgy. Elizalde, Maco, Compostela Valley Province, in cooperation with the
Local Government Units (LGU), Local Government Agencies, Philippine National Police
(PNP) and other sectors of Maco, Compostela Valley Province.

The said rally was attended by more or less one thousand residents eager to
exterminate the cause of the Communist Ideology espoused by the CPP/NPA.

“Para kini sa kaayuhan sa kinatibuk-an sa nasud.” (This is for the good of our nation.),
Brgy. Capt. Fidel G. Cabello Sr. of Brgy. Elizalde, Maco, ComVal Province said. He
also urged the people to unite for peace and development thus, encouraging those who
have relatives in the armed groups living on hinterlands to convince them (rebels) to
embrace the peace that the government is offering.

Three former members of CPP/NPA gave their testimonies during the said activity
namely: Vicente Villarin a.k.a. “Enteng”, a former armed NPA and a resident of Brgy.
New Leyte, Maco, ComVal Province. Lydia Pagay, a.k.a. “Neneng”, a resident and
former organizer of the armed group in Brgy. Calabcab, Maco, ComVal Province and
Moloy Comonia a.k.a. “Rolex”. Comonia is a Lumad from the Mansaka Tribe and a
resident of Brgy. Panangan, Maco, ComVal Province.

“Dako nga sayop ang ideolohiyang gihatag kanato sa CPP/NPA. Wala kini ikatabang sa
atong lugar, hangtud karon.” (Communist ideology brought us astray. It has done
nothing to our community until now.), Comonia firmly said in his testimony.

In 1979, Comonia was recruited by the CPP/NPA. In 1981 he was tasked to recruit
more members of the armed rebels and only last October 2010, he returned to the folds
of law through the effort of the 71st Infantry “Kaibigan” Battalion’s Peace and
Development Teams.

Meanwhile, Pagay was tasked to organize people for mass demonstration against the
government. She also admits that she is a victim of the armed groups’ deception saying
“Isa ko sa mga biktima sa pagpangilad sa CPP/NPA. Nangayo ko ug pasaylo sa
katawhan.” (I am also a victim of their lies. I apologize to the public.)

On the other hand, the Ltc Camilo Ligayo, Commander 71IB who participated in the
said event, stresses that as long as the people longs for peace and gives way to
development “Ito na ang patunay na handa na ang mga tao sa Masara shoreline na
harapin ang tunay na kapayapaan.” (This proves that the people of Masara are willing to
embrace peace.)

The 1001st Brigade Commander COL ROBERTO DOMINES said that “The 10th Infantry
Division is serious in Peace and Development Outreach Program effort as the new
campaign of the whole Armed Forces of the Philippines.” He also emphasized to the
people that the CPP/NPA are getting assistance from the masses. “Let us not give in to
their demands and stop supporting their selfish cause because if we allow them, their
leader’s interests enslave us”.

Such activity will be replicated in other parts of Compostela Valley Province, according
to Col Domines.

The people of Brgy. Elizalde unites for peace as they call out “mabuhay ang
demokrasya at ibagsak ang komunista.” (Long live democracy and eradicate
Communists.)