CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro city – The 4th Infantry Division in partnership with the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO) conducted a peace concert on Tuesday, March 29, at the New Amphitheater, Divisoria, this city.
The said activity which aims to drumbeat peace and unity, and condemn the atrocities of the communist terrorist group (CTG), was spearheaded by the COCPO under Acting City Director Col. Col Aaron Mandia. It was also attended by the National Intelligence and Coordinating Agency-10 (NICA-10) Regional Director Manuel Orduña and 4th Civil-Military Operation Battalion (4CMOBn) Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Aristotle Antonio as well as the 52nd Engineer Brigade (52EBde) and the Cadets of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC).
During the program, some former rebels shared their tormenting experiences while inside the terrorist organization. They told the youth to be cautious in joining groups as it could greatly affect their live. This was followed by the performance of the 4ID and COCPO bands which echoed the government’s call for peace across the country and to the people.
Meanwhile, in his message, Director Orduña stressed that there is nothing for the CTG to celebrate about the supposed NPA anniversary citing the injustices and terrors that the group has brought to the communities. He also reiterated the implementation of Executive Order No.70 or the institutionalization of the whole of nation approach to deliver services to conflict-affected areas and put an end to local communist armed conflict.
In a statement, Major General Wilbur C. Mamawag, 4ID Commander, said “The Command will remain unwavering to its sworn oath to serve the people and secure the land against the menace of the society, the CTG. We shall not allow any group to undermine our effort to provide our people the development they need for the longest time. We shall continue to put in our best effort with the help of the people and partner agencies to sustain the gains of the Task Force ELCAC and finally end this more than five (5) decades-long insurgency.”
