Gov’t wins back guerilla base in AgNor town
The 23rd Infantry (Masigasig) Battalion (23IB), Philippine Army in partnership with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte and the Higaonon tribe participated in the inauguration of interim barangay officials held in Sitio Bokbokon, Barangay Lawan-lawan on Friday, July 9, 2021.
The induction was led by Mayor Avelina Rosales together with the tribal leaders of Higaonon tribe and 23IB Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Julius Cesar C. Paulo. Sitio Bokbokon was once a guerilla base of the Communist New People’s Army (NPA) Terrorist (CNT) but was won over by the government. It is considered vulnerable to the exploitation and manipulation of the CNTs. For years, the IP residents in the area have suffered from armed conflicts due to
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| July 10-16, 2021
the terroristic activities and became peaceful after the residents openly denounced and withdraw their support to the communist movement. Series of immersion activities, including Serbisyo Caravans, were conducted by the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) of Agusan del Norte last March 9-10 2021 in the said Sitio. The immersion activities were made possible through the convergence of the Province of Agusan del Norte led by Gov. Dale B Corvera, the LGU of Las
Nieves, the 23IB, and the different line agencies of the government. The activities were aimed to make the residents of Sitio Bokbokon feel the presence of the government including its programs and services. Mayor Rosales, in her message, recognized the overall performance of the 23IB and appreciated the efforts of the military unit in addressing insurgency threats in the province of Agusan del Norte while at the same time helping far-flung communities by conducting civilmilitary operations Caraga INFOCUS