ABANDONING THE ARMED STRUGGLE. At least 271 members of underground mass organizations (UGMOs) from five barangays in five towns in Surigao del Norte formally abandon the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army- National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) during the separate assemblies. Photo shows UGMO members in Barangay Magtangale, Malimono, Surigao del Norte, denouncing the CPP-NPA-NDF in an assembly held on March 19, 2022. (Photo courtesy of 30IB)
BUTUAN CITY – The Army’s 30th Infantry Battalion (IB) has reported the surrender of 271 members of underground mass organizations (UGMOs) in Surigao del Norte.
In a phone interview Monday, 1Lt. Christian Elpedes, the 30 IB acting civil-military operations officer, said the surrender of the UGMO members took place during the separate assemblies in five barangays in Surigao del Norte, the latest of which was on Saturday.
“These UGMO members came from five barangays in five towns in the province. The latest assembly and withdrawal of support activity was held last March 19,” Elpedes said.
Of the UGMO surrenderers, 17 were members of the Milisya ng Bayan; seven from the Sangay ng Partido sa Lokalidad; and the rest were members of the different support organizations of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), the National Democratic Front (NDF), and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA).
“They voluntarily withdrew and officially pledged their oath of allegiance to the government during the separate assemblies,” Elpedes said.
In a statement Monday, the 30IB said the UGMO members were identified by the community support teams (CSTs) of the Philippine Army’s 30IB, 58IB, 26IB, and 23IB.
The CSTs were deployed from January to March this year in Barangays Tapian in the town of Maninit; Karihatag in Malimono; and also Magtangale, Macopa, and Balite in the town of San Francisco.
The CSTs deployment was supported by former rebels in Surigao del Norte, the statement said.
“As a manifestation of withdrawal of support, UGMO members signed the wall of commitment showing their full support in declaring the CPP-NPA-NDF as persona non grata, and was followed by the ceremonial burning of the CPP-NPA flag as they denounced the futile struggle of the communist groups,” the 30IB said.
They also surrendered during the separate activities war materials that included an M16 rifle, an M79 grenade launcher, two anti-tank improvised explosive devices, and subversive documents.
Lt. Col. Ryan Charles G Callanta, the Army’s 30IB commander, welcomed the 271 UGMO members back to the fold of the law, even as he recognized their courage to renounce the communist organization.
“We are thankful that these people, previously deceived by the CPP-NPA-NDF, heeded our call for peace and enabled the government machinery to facilitate the delivery of basic services as a catalyst for progress and development,” Callanta said.
The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
The NDF has been formally designated as a terrorist organization by the Anti-Terrorism Council on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and inseparable part” of the CPP-NPA created in April 1973. (PNA)
