A TOTAL of 42 New People’s Army (NPA) member, militiamen, and mass base supporters withdrew their support to the communist terrorist group on Saturday and took their oath of allegiance to the government during ceremonies in Sitio Nasandigan, Brgy. Kalabugao, Impasugong, Bukidnon,a military official said Thursday.
4th Infantry Division public affairs chief Captain Al Anthony Pueblas said out of the total number, one was regular NPA member, four members of the “Yunit Militia”, and 37 mass base supporters.
“They were now realized the deception and atrocities committed by the NPA rebels especially among innocent civilians, villagers and mostly to their mass supporters,” said Pueblas.
He said on July 11, 2020, following the grand “pulong-pulong” held at Brgy. Kalabugao, the villagers expressed their remorse over their years of giving support to the group that has sowed nothing but fear and terror in their community.
“Majority of them are indigenous peoples (IPs) who were duped to join the NPA rebels with a promise of a better life and land ownership,” said Pueblas.
The pulong-pulong is one of the many activities under the Community Support Program (CSP) of the Philippine Army which bridges the gap between the government and communities by delivering basic services to the people.
The series of Pulong-Pulong activities held in Sitios Nasandigan and Kalampigan in Brgy. Kalabugao, Impasugong, Bukidnon were facilitated by the CSP team of the Army’s 8th Infantry Battalion (8IB), acvording to Pueblas.
Jing (not his true name), one of the surrenderees, said he is now aware of the deceptive schemes and evil tactics of the Communist rebel group.
“Dako among pasalamat nga nalamdagan mi sa mga teroristang binuhatan sa mga walhong grupo nga NPA. Wala namo damha nga nagsugod na sila ug pang-rekrut kanamo,” alias Jing said.
“This is the very reason for their voluntary withdrawal of support from the group and sworn their allegiance to the government for them to live normally and peacefully,” pueblas said.
Pueblas said that Major Gen. Andres centino, commander of Army’s 4th Infantry Division, lauded the 8IB for facilitating the surrender of 42 individuals.
Maj Gen. Centino has appealed to other members to also come down and surrender as the government is open to those who seek peace, according to Pueblas.
Meanwhile, Impasugong mayor Anthony A. Uy said the LGU of Impasugong together with the other agencies fully supports the Philippine Army in ending the insurgency in Bukidnon.
“Sa pamaagi sa CSP, nahibaw-an nato ang tinuod nga kinanghalanon sa atong mga katawhan, ang mga isyu nga ilang gigamit sa pagdaot sa imahen sa gobyerno ug pagrekruta sa mga tawo,” said Uy.
8IB executive officer Major Lemuel Bacarro called on to the people to stand up against the evil of the Communism as he bared how he once became a victim of the NPA’s deception.
“Ako ay isang buhay na testimonya sa kasamaan at kasakiman ng teroristang NPA, dahil nananalaytay sa akin ang dugong rebelde,” said Bacarro.
Bacarro said in his youth, he was used by the NPA terrorists until he became a member of the front organization of the youth during his college days.
“Minsan nagpakatanga tayo dahil sa matatamis na pangako ng makakaliwang grupo. Subalit ngayon, buong puso akong nananawagan na huwag na kayong makinig at magpalinlang sa mga makakiwang grupo” Bacarro appealed.
He said that true soldiers are here to fight for their rights and will serve as their partners for development. (Ben Balce)
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