TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte –
Col. Allan Ragpala of the 802nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine
Army is determined to destroy the remnants of the CPP-NPA operating in
the Leyte Island.
In an interview with
PIA, Col. Ragpala expressed optimism that the unearthing of the mass
gravesite in Sitio Sapang Daco in Barangay Caulisihan at Inopacan,
Leyte, will be an eye opener to the public on the true color of the
CPP-NPA who can kill their own members on mere suspicion. This should
make the public think twice before they believe the many promises they
make in order to entice them.
Described by his men
as a brilliant and very good commander, Col. Ragpala said that with
the capture of the Southern Leyte Front secretary Licerio Rolona alias
JR in June of 2006, the Southern Leyte command and the Evelyn Dublin
Command where he is also the commander, has been dismantled.
He said that that he
is resolute to destroy the remnant of the armed elements which he said
have been already reduced to about 16 armed men in the Southern Leyte
Front. There is no such thing as forbidden place for him, he said, and
that is why he led the massive internal security operations at the
Forbidden land at Sapang Daco in Barangay Caulisihan in Inopacan.
Leyte.
He revealed that he is
now in Northern Leyte to insure that reinforcements will not be able
to enter. He said that this irritant is a great hindrance to the
development of the island as no investor will not put in capital
unless he is sure about the security and peace and order condition of
the place. He said that the military is now working on this,
especially in places which are not reached by the services of the
government. He gave the assurance the he and his men are working hard
to attain peace in the island. One thing certain is that the enemies
of the government in the island of Leyte are not able to stay in one
place because the military is always after them.
He revealed that he
always inculcate to his men the importance of giving assurance to the
people that they can sleep well because the military will always be
there to protect them. It is important that the military gets the
trust and confidence of the people, Col. Ragpala said.
In the same manner, he
said that the support of the residents and the local government
officials is very important to the success of the work of the
military. With the good coordination among the military, the local
government units and the local residents, there is no doubt that the
armed elements of the CPP-NPA will be destroyed in the
island of
Leyte
and true peace will be attained.
He said that with
peace and the investors coming in, the province will be able to fully
develop and this will redound to the betterment of the people in terms
of more jobs generated.
