‘Oro remains insurgency-free’

WHILE its neighbors in Northern Mindanao continue to deal with the communist insurgency, Cagayan de Oro City remains insurgency-free, military and intelligence officials said.

“When communist rebels learn from their former comrades (who surrendered to the government) that they are in good hands in Cagayan de Oro, (that has a huge positive effect in) convincing them to surrender,” said Capt. Nerbone Estolloso, commanding officer of the 1st Special Force Battalion of the Fourth Infantry Division (4th ID) during the City Peace, Development, and Security Council meeting held last Friday.

Capt. Estolloso’s briefing on Northern Mindanao’s communist insurgency situation confirmed an assessment by the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (Nica) that Cagayan de Oro City remains insurgency-free.

Councilor Romeo Calizo, a former army general who chairs the 20th City Council’s public order and safety committee, told the council that there was no violence involving communist rebels in the city.

“So sustaining the government’s efforts against the communist insurgency is a big challenge for us in the city,” Calizo said.

During the council meeting, City Director Engr. Jane Docallos of the Department of Interior and Local Governments (DILG) said Cagayan de Oro City Hall should complete the halfway house project for former communist rebels in one of the city’s barangays.

“The program of E-clip [Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program] is designed in such a way…that we are not just serving Cagayan de Oro. The truth is, most of those served by our E-clip is not from Cagayan de Oro. They come from Bukidnon province (and other areas),” Docallos said, explaining that the halfway house project is a big part of the E-clip program.

The halfway house project under E-clip initiated in the city was part of former president Rodrigo Duterte’s Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict program and was funded by DILG with the lot provided by City Hall. It was launched during the administration of former mayor Oscar Moreno.

Last Friday, Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Rolando ‘Klarex’ Uy was on hand to turn over housing units to 43 former rebels in one of the city’s barangays.

Docallos said these initiatives help persuade communist rebels to surrender to the government.

“The effect of these services (on) the government’s E-clip program (is positive). And there are so many good programs of the government (that can be implemented by the local government)…if the rebels see this, they don’t have a reason to fight the government,” Docallos said, adding that the halfway house project needs resources and staff to finally make it operational. (Stephen Capillas of City Information Office)