SOME 50 former members and supporters of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) in Bukidnon condemned the rebel movement for various atrocities, the military said in a statement Friday.

Former anti-government organization initiated a peace rally in commemoration of the celebration of Human Rights Day at Freedom Park, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, according to Army's 8th Infantry Battalion civil-military officer 2nd Lieutenant Camille Bumatay.

Bumatay said the former CPP-NPA-NDF supporters used to be members of the communist rebel movement's "underground mass organization" or UGMO from Malaybalay villages decided to "break free" from the guerillas.

The Pigbuligaan Organization known as the "Human Rights Defender" is composed of former communist members and sympathizers, according to Bumatay.

"After realizing that they will get nothing in the  futile organization, they decided to return to the folds of the law," said Bumatay.

Alias Jasmin said  the former UGMO members were "fed up with the violations" of the communist rebels in their villages, accusing the guerillas of "killing of their children, robbery, arson, the recruitment of minors and other atrocities.

"Ngayon araw ng December 10 2020, bilang pag gunita sa selebrasyon ng international human rights day, kinokundina namin ang CPP-NPA-NDF dahil sa lahat ng mga nabiktima ng teroristang grupo na ito tulad ng mga lumad leaders at ang mga ordinaryong magsasaka na kanilang pinatay," said Ka Jasmin, one of the former NPA rebels.

She said the former NPA supporters held a peace rally (march for peace) purely to expose and condemn the CPP-NPA-NDF in their area.

"Kami ang organisasyon ng "Pigbuligaan" ang dating organisasyong pabor sa hanay ng kabila, pabor sa terorista kilosan noon na naging biktima sa kanilang panloloko, na ngayon ay tumatayo at nagkakaisa sa pamamagitan ng isang organisasyon na aming oyinatag na “Pigbuligaan," Ka Jasmin said.

As they marched, they shouted out loud: "Ibagsak ang komunista, mabuhay ang demokrasya," the report said.

The former NPA supporters also carried placards containing invectives against the CPP-NPA-NDF.

Meanwhile, the report said the military won back the former NPA supporters through the community support program of the Army's 8th Infantry Battalion based in the area. (Ben Balce)