‘Bantayan ti youth recruitment (ti NPA)…bantayan tayo ti ili tayo’ — KPPO warns Tanudan residents despite insurgency-free Kalinga

Anggacan, Tanudan – Despite Kalinga recently being declared insurgency-free, Kalinga Police Provincial Office Deputy Provincial Director for Operations (KPPO-DPDO) Gilbert Fatiig urged residents to remain vigilant against possible recruitment efforts by communist rebel groups targeting the youth.

Fatiig made the statement during the Community Consultation and Serbisyo Caravan cum Lumin-Awa Poverty Alleviation Program of the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC), chaired by Governor James Edduba, on May 13 in Mangali, Tanudan, particularly in Barangays Anggacan and Anggacan Sur.

The municipality of Tanudan continues to record low crime incidents and currently has more than 40 police personnel assigned in the town, already exceeding the required police-to-population ratio.

According to Fatiig, although the municipality remains peaceful, communities should continue guarding against individuals who may attempt to influence and recruit young people into revolutionary organizations.

“…uray nga kastoy nga insurgent-free tayon ket dapat lattan nga bantayan tayo ti ili tayo ta adda latta umay nga agsao ti nasasam-it ket isu ti maka-tempt-an dagiti ubbing tayo… diyay kuma ti tutukan tayo. Haan tayo kuma pasreken kada i-allow nga umay da ag-recruit ditoy ili tayo nga Tanudan,” he said.

He called on barangay officials, parents, and residents to work together to prevent insurgents from regrouping, stressing that while rebel groups in the province have already weakened, they may still recover if communities become complacent.

“Daytoy strength ti lefties ditoy tatta ket nawatak-watak dan, ngem nu baybay-an tayo—uray pay nawatak dan ket they will be regrouping. Isunga ipakpakaasik kanyayo nga pagtitinulungan tayo nga at least i-prevent ti panag-regroup da tapnu isardeng dan, magbalik-loob da,” he added.

The police official concluded by encouraging the public to continue supporting government peace programs, emphasizing that unity and vigilance are essential in maintaining long-term peace and stability in the municipality.

Meanwhile, the consultation and caravan formed part of the province’s continuing efforts to strengthen peace and development initiatives in geographically isolated and formerly insurgency-affected communities.