TWO hundred fifty alleged leaders of different Gingoog City's underground mass organizations (UGMO) withdrew their support from the New People’s Army (NPA), the military officials said Friday.

Army's 4th Infantry Division spokesman Major Rodulfo Cordero said the 250 individuals took their oaths of allegiance to the government.

Most of the leaders were belonged to the Sangay ng Partido sa Localidad, Pambansang Katipunan ng Magbubukid, Malayang Kilusan ng Makabagong Kababaihan and Kabataang Makabayan.

Cordero said the mass withdrawing of support from the NPA rebels was the result of the retooled community support program (RCSP) operation efforts by the Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (TF-ELCAC) with the special participations of local officials, stakeholders and the communities.

Cordero said it was alarming to know how the NPA exploited and deceived the farmers and women in the countryside.

"They used them to advance their political interest,” said Cordero.

58th Infantry Battalion civil-military officer 1st Lieutenant Jefferson Mariano said the underground groups have a total of 1,500 members wherein 250 of them were leaders who withdrew their support to the Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs).

Mariano said the leaders even signed a manifesto during a peace rally held at the covered court of Don Restituto Baol Central Elementary School, Gingoog City, on October 21, 2020.

The activity was attended by former NPA supporters together with local government officials of Gingoog City, the Gingoog police and the Army’s 58th Infantry Battalion.

Mariano said the former supporters were fed up with the lies and deceptions of the NPA.

The former supporters of the NPA were came from affected communities in Gingoog City such as Brgy Lunao, Santiago, Agay-ayan, Brgy 29, Brgy 24, Brgy 26, Kipuntos, San Luis, San Juan, Punong, and Binakalan.

The burning of CPP-NPA flag which signifies their withdrawal of support and Oath of Allegiance to government were among the highlights of the event.

"These highlights denote their full support to the campaign against insurgency," said Mariano.

The said highlights were followed by the signing of commitment and support of the people of Gingoog to the government’s peace programs, according to Mariano.

Leopoldo Regis, a former NPA mass organizer for 18 years was disappointed after realizing that all were false promises.

He even said he was only used by the NPA for organizing associations that will go against the government.

“We are grateful to the Community Support Program (CSP) teams of 58IB and the LGU of Gingoog City for their efforts in reaching us," said Regis.

In a message, Gingoog City mayor Erick Cañosa assured that they will give their best effort to drive away pests from the city.

"We are peace partners. Rest assured that we can achieve peace and development of our beloved city," said Cañosa.

Meanwhile, 58IB commander Lt. Col. Ricky Canatoy said after the activity, the former NPA supporters can now avail government programs through the "retooled community support program (RCSP).

“Our government is open for dialogue towards peace engagement, to welcome the supporters of the CPP-NPA as a way to end the local communist armed conflict in our area of responsibility,” Canatoy said.

This peace initiative symbolizes the empowerment of the affected communities to fight against terrorists, according to Canatoy.

He said, this is a challenge for the Local Chief Executives to strengthen their efforts in resolving issues and concern of their constituents in order to prevent them from being exploited and deceived by  the communist groups. (Ben Balce)