A total of 30 former rebels (FRs) who recently withdrew their membership and support from the New People’s Army (NPA), turned over their firearms to the 2nd Infantry Battalion (2IB) headquarters in Barangay Bacolod, Milagros, Masbate.
The FRs are composed of three Militia ng Bayan members, one from Ganap na Samahang Masa, and 26 supporters who surrendered AR15 rifle; four .45 caliber pistols; 17 .38 caliber revolvers; five .357 caliber; 9mm caliber; and shotgun, homemade shot gun, and caliber .22 on Sunday.
“The group expressed their sincere gratitude for the government troops’ assistance in making their dream of going back to their family turn into reality,” Maj. John Paul Belleza, 9th Infantry Division (9ID) spokesperson, said in a statement on Tuesday.
Brig. Gen. Aldwine Almase, commander of the 903rd Infantry Brigade, said the convergence of efforts of all government agencies to end insurgency was an eye-opener for the FRs to abandon the NPA.
“Ang iba’t ibang programa sa kasalukuyang administrasyon ay nagbigay ng kongkretong halimbawa ng tunay na serbisyong para sa mamamayan kaya hindi na sila nag-atubiling iwanan ang armadong tunggalian. Maliban dito, namulat na rin sila sa totoong motibo at di katangap-tanggap na karahasan ng CTG [communist terrorist group] kung kaya humingi sila ng tulong sa atin upang tuluyan nang yakapin ang kapayapan at makapagbagong buhay (The different programs of the current administration show they should not hesitate to return to the government. Aside from this, they are now aware of the true motives and unacceptable violence of CTG, that’s why they asked for our help to embrace peace and a new life),” Almase said in another statement.
Joint Task Force Bicolandia commander, Maj. Gen. Alex Luna, said the FRs should look forward to a new beginning instead of risking their lives.
“Sa mga natitira pang miyembro ng CTG, mayroon pa kayong ibang pagpipilian. May pag-asa pa kayo kapag inabandona ninyo ang teroristang grupo. Naririto lamang po kami, nakahandang tanggapin kayo anumang oras ninyong nanaising magbalik-loob pero hinihikayat kong ‘wag na ninyong patagalin pa ang pananatili sa isang walang saysay na kilusang magiging ugat lamang ng pagkasira ng inyong buhay at kinabukasan (For the remaining members of the CTG, you have other choices to make. You still have hope if you abandon terrorism. We are here, ready to accept you any time that you want to return to the government, but we are encouraging you to do it now to preserve your life and future),” Luna said.
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) – NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
The Anti-Terrorism Council also formally designated the National Democratic Front as a terrorist organization on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and inseparable part” of the CPP-NPA that was created in April 1973.
Source: Philippines News Agency
