Ugnayan sa Barangay: 53rd IB, LGU, DILG participate in RCSP Immersion

The San Miguel Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (MTF-ELCAC) participated in the Retooled Communist Support Program (RCSP) Immersion held on October 1, 2020 in Barangay Concepcion, San Miguel, Zamboanga Del Sur.

The MTF-ELCAC team was composed of the 53rd Infantry “Matapat” Battalion (53IB), ZamboSur Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company (2nd PMFC, PNP), and the Municipal Government of San Miguel, Zamboanga del Sur.

The purpose of the RCSP Immersion is to identify the conflict-affected barangay’s issues and concerns, and what possible government interventions are necessary to address the said issues.

According to Concepcion barangay captain Hon. Anicito Sumalpong, Barangay Concepcion was previously infested by NPA terrorists before it was declared “Cleared” from Communist-NPA Terrorist influence through Army’s Community Support Program (CSP) in 2018.

53rd IB Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Jo-ar Herrera said the Battalion will not stop in its efforts to achieve and sustain peace in San Miguel town.

“Together with the MTF-ELCAC, this Ugnayan sa Barangay and ceremonial groundbreaking of 2 ELCAC projects will form part of our efforts in sustaining peace,” said Lt. Col. Herrera.

Meanwhile, San Miguel mayor and MTF-ELCAC chairperson Hon. Angelito Martinez II reminded the residents of Barangay Concepcion of the government’s sincerity in addressing the communist armed conflict.

“The government’s efforts, including these ELCAC projects and their various programs and initiatives, are proof that it [the government] really wants to achieve sustainable peace,” said Mayor Martinez.

Also held on the same day are RCSP Immersions in barangays Dilud of Dumingag town and Baking of Lakewood town, Zamboanga del Sur.