PHILIPPINE FLAG. Government officials as well as the surrenderers wave the Philippine flag to show their unity and cooperation in denouncing terrorism. At least 204 members of the Alyansang Manggagawang Bukid ng Gitnang Luzon-Nueva Ecija Chapter, Nelson Mesina Command under Kilusang Larangang Guerilla-Tarlac-Zambales, Milisyang Bayan, Kalipuna ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) and United Luisita Workers Union withdrew their support to the rebel groups in a ceremony held at the PRO-3 regional office in Camp Olivas, Pampanga on Thursday (Oct. 13, 2022). (Photo courtesy of the Police Regional Office-3)
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – At least 204 members of the communist terrorist groups (CTGs) and communist front organizations (CFOs) on Thursday withdrew their support from the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) and pledged allegiance to the national government.
The withdrawal of support was made by members of the Alyansang Manggagawang Bukid ng Gitnang Luzon (AMGL)-Nueva Ecija Chapter, Nelson Mesina Command under Kilusang Larangang Guerilla-Tarlac-Zambales, Milisyang Bayan, Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay), and United Luisita Workers Union at the Police Regional Office (PRO-3) Makatao Center, Camp Olivas, this city.
Brig. Gen. Cesar R. Pasiwen, PRO-3 Regional Director, on Friday said that the continuous joint efforts of the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) and its persistent campaign on anti-terrorism resulted in the voluntary withdrawal of support by the group members to the communist terrorists.
“The continuous local peace engagement activities of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) being carried out by the Philippine National Police and Philippine Army such as information dissemination, and situational interview, made them aware of the government's programs and the opportunity to change their lives and correct the mistakes they have committed due to deception,” Pasiwen said in a statement.
He commended member-agencies of the RTF-ELCAC 3 and the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 3 that facilitated the withdrawal of support of the groups.
He said that the RTF-ELCAC 3 will continue the whole-of-nation approach against communist terrorists to achieve peace and national unity.
“Sa wakas natapos na rin ang ilang taon nating paghihirap sa kamay ng mga NPA, oras na para magbalik loob sa gobyerno, ang kapulisan at kasundaluhan ang siya nating kakampi, hindi ang mga NPA na kung saan tayo ay pinangakuan ng magandang buhay subalit hindi naman natupad (Finally, the hardships in the hands of the NPA for many years has ended. It is now time to return to the fold of the government. The police and soldiers are our allies and not the NPA who promised us good lives but was never fulfilled), one of the surrenderers said in a video message. (PNA)
