Gov't forces start campaign to urge NPA rebels to abandon revolution

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 10): Gov't forces start campaign to urge NPA rebels to abandon revolution

The Philippine Army begins its propaganda campaign to encourage recruits of the New People’s Army (NPA) to return to the fold of the law.

This developed as rebel areas were deluged with 5,000 flyers calling for unity and the prize the communist guerillas can get if they surrender firearms.

The presence of the military choppers hovering over the areas of Davao Oriental worried people in the communities where the flyers were dropped.

But the military assured the people they do not have to worry or leave the area because they were only dropping leaflets.

Capt. Rhyan Batchar, spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division (ID), confirmed leaflets were dropped from the military choppers particularly in the area were the 67th Infantry Battalion forces are operating. The 67th IB is operating in the area of Davao Oriental.

The first leaflet states the different amounts, depending on the type of firearms surrendered under the government’s Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP).

For an AK 47 surrendered, the rebel gets P58,000; M14 – P60,000; Garan – P34,000; Carbine – P20,000; Light Machine Gun – P93,000; M16 – P45,000; 357 - P30,000 and .45 caliber pistol – P16,500.

The second leaflet carries “Manag-uban Kita sa Tul-id nga dalan (Let’s go together in a straight path)” with a sketch of people shaking hands.

This is not the first time that leaflets were released by the military since the declaration of the suspension of the peace talks between the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and the unilateral ceasefire by President Rodrigo Duterte.

In many areas in the city, anti-communist propaganda materials were also posted in city thoroughfares.

Earlier, 10th ID commanding general MGen. Rafael Valencia said the NPA has taken advantage of the unilateral ceasefire by recruiting new members.

This was evident in Manay town the past month, where a clash sparked between joint police and army teams sent to respond to the complaints of the villagers in Lambog and Rizal of alleged NPA harassment and extortion activities.

The firefight left one soldier dead and another wounded and forced the evacuation of about 3,500 residents.

Governor Nelson Dayanghirang earlier also confirmed the death of two residents in Manay. He said they were killed by NPA rebels after they refused to join the NPA.

Dayangirang on Wednesday called for the people’s support to the government’s effort towards peace.

“Our presence here gives a clear message on our intention to reach out and touch lives. We are all from the same province and whatever conflict that would erupt here will affect all of us, especially the poor. So, there’s no reason that we become divided or yet become the cause of strife and division,” he said during the service caravan in Lupon town.

“We are all Filipinos. Wouldn’t it be better if we all just get along? All of us wants peace and it is my dream as well that someday we may finally achieve the peace that we have so-long desired,” he added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=962518