More ‘NPA supporters pledge support to gov't

From the Visayan Daily Star (Apr 29): More ‘NPA supporters pledge support to gov't

More self-proclaimed supporters of the New People's Army in Negros Oriental have taken their oath before authorities as a sign of their support to the duly constituted government.

The latest batch included 37 members of the Komiteng Pang-Organisa or KP (organizing committee) from Barangay Apoloy in Siaton town, Lt. Alex Robillos, Civil-Military Operations officer of the 79 th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, said in a press release.

He said the Battalion, in collaboration with the Siaton town government, held a culmination program recently for its Bayanihan Team activities in Barangay Apoloy, and Sangguniang Bayan member Judith Lagos was present at the oath-taking.

In his testimony before the 405 witnesses present, KP leader, Renante Senda, urged others “to break free from the grip of influence the NPA had on them and support the government on its quest for development and lasting peace”.

In his message, Brig. Gen. Francisco Patrimonio, commander of the 302 nd Infantry Brigade, said people need to be committed in helping win the peace to achieve development, Robillos said.

An outreach program was also conducted during the activity, that benefited around 405 individuals, through medical consultation, circumcision, free haircut, massage, animal vaccination and feeding program.

The mission was through the collaborative efforts of the 79 th IB, the 302 nd Brigade, 703 rd CDC, LGU- Siaton, barangay officials of Apoloy, and volunteer nurses from the Negros Oriental High School Batch '94.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2014/April/29/negor4.htm