OPASS PARTNERS WITH NICA TO RAISE AWARENESS VS. INSURGENCIES
By: Jonathan P. Mallare, GPC-OPAss | Photos By: GPC-OPAss | Date: August 12, 2021
To give awareness and information on the peace and order situation in the province and adjacent neighbors, the Office of the Provincial Assessor organized an online symposium led by the National Intelligence Coordination Council Agency (NICA) - Regional Office I through video conferencing on August 12, 2021 which was participated by the Municipal Assessors Offices and Municipal Agriculture Offices.
Governor Francisco Emmanuel "Pacoy" R. Ortega III gave the opening message and congratulated the 103rd La Union Ready Reserve Battalion Task Force for sustaining peace, order, security, and safety in the province. "As the chairman of the Provincial and Regional Peace and Order Council. I am a witness to their strong dedication and commitment to help preserve the zero insurgencies in the province." He said.
La Union has been declared as insurgency-free for several years now. But insurgency has been a problem in the country for more than 50 years, and these insurgencies are caused by the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People's Army (CPP-NPA/NDF), which was formed on December 28, 1968. NICA Regional Director Alden Juan C. Masagca said that the symposium aims to provide a deeper understanding of the threat situations and groups and give citizens awareness of what this Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) is doing.
During the presentation, NICA provided insights on how the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) affected families by brainwashing young minds and destroying families' dreams. In addition, 70% of the terrorist Group are Indigenous People, and they use their ancestral lands as camps, setting up schools and indoctrinating the IP children. He also shared the importance of the information campaign when the government launches projects, programs, and activities, CTG will take advantage to tell lies to the community, failing to win the people's hearts.
Provincial Agriculturist Col. Ramon Laudencia and Provincial Assessor Arnulfo A. Cacho lauded the NICA, and Regional Director Alden Juan Masagca for helping the assessors and agriculturists understand more about the movements of the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People's Army (CPP-NPA/NDF) and giving awareness about what Communist terrorist group.
Col. Ramon Laudencia also highlighted that the symposium training was instrumental as communist terrorist groups take advantage of citizens, giving on how to counteract their modus.
