Camp BGen Efigenio C Navarro, Calapan City – Project contractors and members of the business community in Mindoro Island have vowed support to the government’s National Task Force to End Local Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) in putting an end to the extortion activities of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) through manisfesto signing on Thursday, May 19, 2022 at the 203rd Brigade Headquarters, Bansud, Oriental Mindoro.

The said activity which highlighted the coordinating conference hosted and initiated by the 203rd Brigade of the Philippine Army, together with Police Regional Office MIMAROPA, and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency 4B, aimed to address the reports that members of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) are actively extorting money and goods from contractors and businessmen in Mindoro provinces.

As part of their capacity building, they underwent orientation on the following topics: Anti-Terrorism Law, CTG Front Organizations, Reporting of Extortion Letters, CTGs’ Electronic Messages, and exchanges of experiences and best practices during the open forum.

Police Regional Office MIMAROPA Regional Director, Police Brigadier General SIDNEY SULTAN HERNIA underscored the role of the private contractors and businessmen in carrying out the government’s flagship programs, and its campaign against terrorism and insurgency.

“You serve as a catalyst for economic development and uplift the quality of life of our citizenry. The quality roads and bridges that you build shape a brighter tomorrow for many Filipinos and our future generations, especially in geographically isolated disadvantaged areas” PBGEN HERNIA said.

The said undertaking fostered an awareness that ending the local communist armed conflict is a shared responsibility between the government and stakeholders. Hence, stakeholders’ collaboration in reporting extortion activities will serve as a key factor in putting an end to local terrorism.

“You have a big part in our struggle towards ending this local terrorism. Rejecting support to the CTGs may be the best decision you can make in your life, not just for your family but for the majority of Filipinos. We, in the PNP, would like to assure you that we will protect you at all times and at all costs.” PBGEN HERNIA emphasized. – RPIO MIMAROPA