209 Bicol villages declare NPA “persona non grata”

LEGAZPI CITY — At least 209 villages in Bicol have  declared the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of  the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP),  as “persona non grata,” authorities said in Friday, Oct. 25.

The declaration was made in a resolution of the Regional Task Force Katoninongan Asin Kauswagan (Peace and Development).

Col. Aldwine Almase, Philippine Army (PA) 9th Infantry Division chief of staff, at a media forum said the resolution labeling rebels as persona non grata was passed by village legislative councils who consider rebels as obstacles to peace and development.

All of the councils that passed the resolution claimed that peace and development have not been achieved due to rebel harrasment and attacks.

Polangui town in Albay province had earlier declared the CPP-NPA, leftist groups and affiliates as persona non grata. Mar S Arguelles/TSB