Nolcom Chief challenges “politically influenced” to avail SIP

By GINA DEAN-RAGUDO, Samar News.com
September 22, 2010

CALBAYOG CITY – “Try it, pag di pa rin kayo satisfied, balik kayo sa bundok at away ulit tayo”, said Northern Luzon Command chief LtGen. Gaudencio Pangilinan before the CSOs (civil society organizations) in an interview conducted on Friday during the sessions initiated by Vera Files at Mimosa, Clark Pampanga.

LtGen. Gaudencio Pangilinan, Northern Luzon Command Chief, in an interview before the CSOs at Mimosa, Clark Pampanga. (photo by GDR)

Pangilinan was addressing his challenge to the rebels such as the New People’s Army (NPA), Abu Sayyaf, MILF and MNLF who have been considered as major threats in the Internal Security Operations of the military.

The National Democratic Front (NDF) by law is not illegal because communism is allowed in the country but what is unlawful is their methodology like the extortion activities that the NPA is doing. Its arms strength in his area of responsibility is about 300, dispersed in different locations also intensifying their propaganda on social injustice. The Abu Sayyaf on the other hand could be a problem of future generations, he added.

The Nolcom chief stressed that the “whole of nation approach” of Aquino’s administration is focused on preventing the recovery of NPA or politically influenced in most areas. They could be right in their struggle but it is wrong to take arms against the government.

Under the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process, the Social Integration Program (SIP) has slowed down because of the many factors that affected the delivery of basic services intended for the rebel returnees or “Balik Loob sa Lipunan”, and this was admitted by Pangilinan. According to him, they failed to deliver their commitments such as the payment of surrendered firearms and giving other assistance intended for the recipients.

“We have a lot of commitments na di pa namin nabayaran, and we’re doing our best not to ruin the reputation of the organization and our efforts”, he emphasized.

Through the help of the local government units and the business sector, the SIP is the best solution to resolve insurgency problems in the country, he said.

One way of monitoring suspected “politically influenced” is through the “order of battle” (OB) list wherein LtGen. Pangilinan called it as wanted list for those persons who have outstanding warrant of arrest in court. He clarified that the military cannot effect arrest or prosecute cases in court for it is not mandated in the military doctrine. By practice, they conduct intelligence and investigation, and lately they underwent legal offensive studies.