CAMP CAPINPIN, Tanay, Rizal — Six supporters of the New People’s Army (NPA) communist terrorist group voluntarily surrendered Tuesday to the 4th Infantry Battalion (4IB) in Occidental Mindoro, military authorities announced on Thursday.
The Army’s 2nd Infantry “Jungle Fighter” Division (2ID) temporarily withheld the identity the six surrenderers.
Lt. Col. Dennis C. Gutierrez, commanding officer of the 4IB, said four of those who yielded are members of the Milisyang Bayan (MB), a militia group; while the two others belong to Sangay ng Partido sa Lokalidad (SPL), a local branch of the NPA Communist terrorist group.
Gutierrez said MB is the the armed component of the NPA tasked to conduct attacks against government forces.
On the other hand, the SPL is the political organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) in the barangays, which provides mandates on the Arouse, Organize, and Mobilize (AOM) tactics of the NPA rebels.
In an interview by the military troops after surrendering, the surrenderers admitted they are “tired of the deception and false promises of the NPA that they will win against the government.”
“The NPA’s propaganda is frustrating. We’re convinced by the government programs by seeing our comrades who surrendered before us, living peacefully with their families, something that we have never felt when we are under the NPA organization,” one of the surrenderers said.
Brig. Gen. Antonio G. Parlade Jr., commander of the 203rd Infantry Brigade, said the mass surrenders were made possible through the Community Support Program and collaborative efforts of the community-based negotiation in the area.
Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Rhoderick M. Parayno, 2ID commander lauded the efforts of the 4IB troops against the NPA communist terrorists in the area.
He said the 2ID is steadfast in its campaign in bringing back normalcy in the Area of Operation citing, “the snowballing of NPA surrenderers is a clear indication of the effectiveness of our strategies in winning over the NPA and its five-decade-old treachery. There are a lot of opportunities for the NPA communist terrorist group who would like to return to the mainstream society. We will pursue the conduct of the local peace talks since it has a great chance of success and resolve all issues immediately.”
According to Capt. Jayrald B. Ternio, officer-in-charge of the 2ID Public Affairs Office, the 4IB commander will formally present the surrenderers to the local government units and other government agencies in Mindoro.
Ternio said the surrenderers would be properly documented and processed under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program or E-CLIP, and receive immediate cash assistance and other benefits in the program.
He said the surrenderers can also avail of the government loan facility besides educational benefits which can be extended to the rebel’s immediate family members. (/PNA)
