NEGROS ORIENTAL, June 30 (PIA) -- The Philippine Army's 11th Infantry (Lapu-Lapu) Battalion has partnered with other government agencies for a joint outreach program dubbed as "Pakig-Tambayayong sa Lumulupyo sa Barangay Luyang" on June 27 in Mabinay town.

According to Army Capt. Francis Salcedo, Civil Military Officer of 11IB, the outreach program that aims to help the residents recover from the undesirable outcome of the recent encounter in their community was also made possible through the combined efforts of 302nd Infantry Brigade, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 7, Mabinay Municipal Police Station, and local government of Mabinay.

It can be recalled that five members of communist terrorist groups (CTGs) were killed in a 30-minute firefight against government forces when joint elements of 11IB and RMFB-7, and Mabinay Police Station served the arrest warrant to a wanted person at Sitio Talingting, Brgy. Luyang, Mabinay on June 18.

In his message, Rep. Manuel Sagarbarria of 2nd district of Negros Oriental who supported the said outreach program said "the 2nd district and the local government of Mabinay are always here for the people, doing their best to help, and giving back to the people what is due to them."

For her part, Mabinay Mayor Joeterry Uy expressed her gratitude to the uniformed personnel.

"The municipality of Mabinay would like to thank the 11IB and the PNP for actively performing their role in preserving the peace and order in our jurisdiction and even to the neighboring towns," said Uy.

"The Joint-Outreach Program shows that your local government with the help of our uniformed personnel is serious in bringing sustainable development in our community," Uy added.

One of the highlights of the program is the indignation rally where residents exhibited anti-NPA placards, banners, and burned the flags of the CTGs.

Salcedo said also present during the activity were Emma Ravilista, wife of slain Isaias Ravilista Ka Jabar, who gave testimony and expressed her gratitude to the local government of Mabinay and to the uniformed personnel for extending financial and burial assistance to her family during the internment of her late husband.

Likewise, the barangay officials led by their Barangay Chairperson Guellermo Cueno Jr. placed a large banner of the barangay resolution declaring the members of the Communist Terrorist Groups as Persona-Non-Grata.

11IB Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Ramir Redosendo said in his message, "I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to our stakeholders for their undying support and commitment. Everything was made possible through the dedication and generosity of our partners for peace. Also, I would like to thank the peace-loving residents of Barangay Luyang for reporting the presence of the CTGs in their barangay that led to the successful neutralization of their members. This only serves as proof that residents of Barangay Luyang are fed up with the deception and lies brought by the false ideology of the CTGs."

Meanwhile, Col. Noel Baluyan, commander of the Army's 302nd Infantry (Achiever) Brigade expressed his admiration and appreciation to Sagarbarria and Uy for making the Joint-Outreach Program possible. (jct/PIA7 Negros Oriental with reports from Capt. Francis Salcedo of 11IB)