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BAGUIO CITY: Residents of Barangay Tubtuba in Tubo town, Abra,
simply want to live in peace as they urge local officials to appeal
in their behalf to both the rebels and the military to leave their
village.
No less than the military’s North Luzon
Command (Nolcom) reported that Tubtuba expressed concern over the
military’s restriction on them from going to their respective
farms.
Residents also complained on the military’s
search of houses and stock rooms, including the use of mortars and
canons in their pursuit against the New People’s Army (NPA).
But Nolcom commander, Major Gen. Isagani
Cachuela, said the Armed Forces’ primary concern is to maintain
peace and security in every community, especially in areas with
reported sightings of NPA rebels.
Cachuela said he understands the sentiments of
Barangay Tubtuba residents, who formally filed their complaint
before Mayor Wilma Gattud and the municipal council to act on their
urgent appeal.
The villagers, on the other hand, admitted that
rebels are frequenting their barangay to hold meetings with the
people and in an attempt to convince them to form organizations, and
get their food rations or supplies.
Nolcom also said that the petition underscored
that residents do not want the NPA to continue their abovementioned
activities in their community, adding that the rebels sleep in
houses against the will of the owners.
“The villagers also resent the fact that some
of them are tasked to procure supplies for the communist terrorists.
They are also being utilized in the evacuation of NPA casualties
after encounters,” noted a Nolcom press statement. The residents
of Barangay Tubtuba had expressed their appeal to the military
during the local peace and security assembly for the Cordilleras
held in the capital town of Bangued, Abra in March.
Tubo is situated in the tri-boundary of Abra,
Mt. Province and Ilocos Sur.
-- Harley F. Palangchao
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