NICA-RO2 head tackles Peace and National Security Awareness during community dialogue in Nueva Vizcaya

Scenes while RD Olet delivers her lecture and hands a gift pack to a senior citizen. The same activity was held at the campus of Northeastern College in Santiago City on Feb. 22 where she also served as a speaker. Photos by Mae Barangan

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya– In line with the government’s effort to increase awareness and disseminate anti-insurgency campaigns, the Director of National Intelligence Coordinating Agency-Region 2, Plormelinda P. Olet served as the speaker who lectured on peace and national security during the Community Dialogue and Outreach Program held in Brgy. Didipio, Kasibu in this province, Feb. 25.

In collaboration with the 86th Infantry Battalion (86IB) of the 5th Infantry Division, Philippine Army (5ID, PA), Olet thoroughly discussed the importance of the people’s participation in the government’s fight against the Communist Terrorist Groups (CTG). She said that through Executive Order No. 70 or the creation of the National Task Force to End Local Community Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) the development programs of the different government agencies are delivered right to the barangay level. She also discussed the salient points of the Anti-Terrorism Law.

In an exclusive interview by FNS, Olet said that the whole of the community has roles to play in ending the communist insurgencies. “We doubled our efforts to attend activities like this if not we host Symposium in schools around Region 2. By educating the people, especially the youth, we will be able to lessen threats among the insurgents if not eradicate them,” Olet said.

Ma. Christina Macaspac aka “Kira”, a former member of the New People’s Army (NPA) also served as a lecturer. Macaspac was recruited when she was 14 years old and was able to find liberty from the organization in the year 2022 by surrendering to the 17th Infantry Battalion under the 501st Infantry Brigade of the 5ID, PA.

Being a former rebel, Macaspac in her lecture reiterated the hardships she went through in fulfilling her duties. She said that sexual exploitations are being experienced by female members, thus making her plan to escape from the organization to save herself from being a victim.

Macaspac also enumerated some reasons why the youth are the target recruits of the NPA. Some photos of the students who were deceived into joining the organization and died during combat operations of the military were shown to the audience.

Personnel of the 86IB with NICA-RO2 distributed gift packs from the Office of the Vice President to more or less 300 residents who attended the lecture series. They were guided accordingly by their Barangay Captain, Hon. Henry D. Guay. The distribution concluded the program.# Mae Barangan