DILG says 84% of LGUs in PH declare CPP-NPA-NDF as ‘persona non grata’
DILG Usec. Jonathan Malaya. File photo from DILG
MANILA, Philippines — Eighty-four percent of local government units (LGUs) nationwide have condemned the alleged atrocities of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) and declared them persona non grata in their localities, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Monday.
DILG Undersecretary and National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said 1,436 out of 1,715 LGUs have passed their respective resolutions condemning the alleged atrocities of the CPP-NPA-NDF while the remaining 279 are deliberating on the matter.
“The resolutions of LGUs are solid proof of the condemnation of the CTGs (communist terrorist groups) and the resolutions belie the false claims of the Communist terrorists that they are supported by the people,” he said in a statement.
He said six regions have already achieved 100% declaration of persona non grata against the CPP-NPA-NDF, namely Central Luzon, MIMAROPA, Central Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, SOCCSKSARGEN, and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
Meanwhile, four regions are nearing absolute declaration of persona non grata against the CPP-NPA-NDF, with Ilocos Region at 99% declaration, Cagayan Valley at 98%, Calabarzon at 94%, and Northern Mindanao at 95%.
In Metro Manila, nine cities have passed resolutions and declared the CPP-NPA-NDF as persona non grata, namely Caloocan, Las Piñas, Mandaluyong, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Pasig, Quezon, San Juan, and Valenzuela.
Malaya said the DILG continues to ensure that “genuine” peace is achieved in communities through various programs.
Under the Barangay Development Program (BDP), Malaya said, a total of P12.3-billion have been released to recipient LGUs as of May 23.
This accounts for 75% of the total budget of P16.44-billion for the 822 BDP recipients, accounting for a total of 1,756 projects which allocations were approved by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
Meanwhile, under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP), Malaya said a total of 6,418 former rebels have been provided assistance as of May 21.
Of the number, 3,965 are regular NPA fighters while 2,453 are “militia ng bayan.”
Moreover, financial assistance worth P5 million was extended to each 42 LGU beneficiary provinces and highly urbanized cities (HUCs) for the construction of halfway houses or facilities to serve as temporary shelters for surrendering former rebels, and as venues in the conduct of rehabilitation or healing sessions and education or skills training activities.
In December, the CPP has claimed that LGUs are being forced to declare communist rebels as persona non grata in their respective localities as they are threatened not to get proper budgets.
LGUs ‘forced’ to declare rebels persona non grata or get no budget share — CPP
