By Jennifer P. Rendon
Apart from his family and constituents, the military was also saddened by the killing of Barangay Captain Julie Catamin on Sunday at Calinog, Iloilo.
Catamin was killed by motorcycle-riding assassins at Barangay Malitbog, Calinog, Iloilo.
In a statement, the 301st IB strongly has condemned the killing of what they regarded as one of their staunch peace advocates in Tapaz.
“Today, we have lost a peace advocate. We have lost an ally,” Brigadier General Marion Sison, 301st IB commander, said.
He added that Catamin has supported the CSP advocacy of the 301st Brigade and has been instrumental in the success of the CSP in Barangay Roosevelt, Tapaz, Capiz.
“He has worked with our soldiers in bringing peace to his Barangay and the people of Tapaz,” Sison said.
Under Catamin’s leadership, Barangay Roosevelt declared the CPP-NPA as persona non grata on Sept. 15, 2020 “and has always been supportive of E.O. 70.”
Signed in Dec. 4, 2018, Executive Order No. 70 is about “Institutionalizing the Whole-Of-Nation Approach in Attaining Inclusive and Sustainable Peace, Creating A National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, and Directing the Adoption of A National Peace Framework.”
While Catamin might no longer be around, the 301st IB said his legacy of peace shall always be remembered.
“Isa kang Bayani Hon. Julie Catamin. Ipinaglaban mo ang Kapayapaan. Ipinaglaban mo ang Kalayaan ng mga taga Tapaz mula sa terorismong dulot ng CPP-NPA,” Sison said.
When asked if the CPP-NPA could be behind Catamin’s killing, “it’s highly possible,” Sison said.
As fellow workers in the government, the 301st IB vowed “to bring justice to these CPP NPA terrorist and that your work here on earth inspires us to exert some more effort for true and genuine peace.”
But Sison said that the killing of Catamin is no reason for the government to wane in its effort on the campaign to end local communist armed conflict.
In fact, “his death would serve as a motivation for us to strengthen our campaign against the NPA movement,” he said.
