Friday, July 19, 2013

Former NPA members pledge allegiance to government

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 19): Former NPA members pledge allegiance to government

Former members of the rebel New People’s Army (NPA) on Thursday pledged their allegiance to the Philippine government during a ceremony held in the mountain barangay of Mantiquil in Siaton, Negros Oriental.

The activity was spearheaded by the Philippine Army’s 302nd Brigade and the 79th Infantry Battalion and attended by Governor Roel Degamo and Siaton Mayor Albert Ator.

During the ceremony, the rebel returnees burned a flag of the NPA as they reiterated their desire to return to the folds of the law, a media release from the Philippine Army said.

About 18 members of the Lubos Asosasyung Masa (LAM) in the sub-village of Quara in Mantiquil, headed by their chairwoman Rosalie Nama and residents in the area, were also present during the said oath-taking activity.

A medical mission, the first to be held in Mantiquil, immediately followed with basic medical and dental services offered.

The former rebels and residents claimed the NPA “deceived” them with anti-government propaganda.

Gov. Degamo was also quoted as saying that the war against insurgency cannot be won by bullets alone but by addressing its root cause, which is poverty.

The governor gave the assurance his administration will be constructing more roads and providing water and other social services to the people especially in the hinterland areas.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=546056

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