REJECTING THE CPP-NPA. Residents of Kamanikan in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental, pledge their allegiance to the government after renouncing their support for the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020. The 60 surrenderers include civilian supporters and rebel militiamen. (Photo courtesy of 23IB)
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – At least 60 civilian supporters and rebels in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental, have renounced their support for the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) and renewed their pledge of loyalty to the government.
In a statement Thursday, Lt. Col. Julius Cesar Paulo, commander of the Army's 23rd Infantry Battalion (23IB), said the surrenderers were mostly residents of Barangay Kamanikan in Gingoog City.
Eight of them, Paulo said, once served as guerillas of the NPA's Milisya ng Bayan, while the 52 were mass supporters of the rebels' Guerrilla Front 4A.
Paulo said he was elated over the surrender of the former NPA supporters and militiamen during the surrender ceremony on Tuesday, adding the villagers saved their community from the rebels' "atrocities" in doing so.
“We are glad that you finally realized that supporting the CNTs (Communist NPA Terrorists) will not help you get away from poverty, in fact, it will only add burden to your lives. We are here today because we don’t want you to experience once again the armed conflict that previously happened in Sitio Likodon. As we all know, the conflicts affected the lives of everyone here,” Paulo said.
He reiterated the government's "sincerity in helping the people build their new lives through the Enhanced Comprehensive Livelihood Integration Program (ECLIP)."
"To the remaining CNT members, it is the right time to go back to the folds of the law. In this time of crisis, particularly the pandemic, be with your family. Lay down your arms and the government will help you as you go on to another journey and in the right path,” Paulo said.
During the surrender ceremony, Paulo said the residents also condemned the CPP-NPA for their "terroristic activities" that put the villagers' lives in danger.
They also vowed to support government forces by providing information necessary to end the communist armed conflict in the locality.
One of the former NPA supporters, Datu Yamon Bunlaod, was quoted by the 23IB as saying he was "sick and tired of being used and manipulated" the communist rebel movement.
Bunlaod, who is also the tribal leader in the area, admitted he made a big mistake when he supported the CPP-NPA, noting that for years, the tribe did not benefit from its association with the rebels.
Meanwhile, Gingoog City administrator Elvin Restituto urged the villagers to help the government weaken the influence of the rebels in the area.
“There is no perfect government nor leaders, but we in the local government will do our best to implement programs and projects through good governance and by providing opportunities for agriculture and tourism development, livelihood development, and the implementation and delivery of health, education, and social services in every community. Let us help one another to develop our community and our nation through unity, understanding, and cooperation in order to achieve lasting peace and development for the benefit of Gingoognon people,” Restituto said. (PNA)
