Wednesday, July 17, 2019

230 ex-NPAs, supporters torch rebel flags in NoCot mass surrender

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 17, 2019): 230 ex-NPAs, supporters torch rebel flags in NoCot mass surrender



NPA FLAG TORCHING. Former New People’s Army insurgents torch rebel flags as they renounce communism during a mass surrender ceremony in President Roxas, North Cotabato on Monday (July 15, 2019). (Photo courtesy of 901st IB)

More than 200 communist rebels and sympathizers living along the borders of North Cotabato, Bukidnon, and Davao del Sur provinces surrendered Monday, turning in their guns and torching rebel flags in President Roxas town.

President Roxas Mayor Jonathan Mahimpit accepted the 230 NPA regulars and supporters who pledged allegiance to the Philippine flag.

“The former rebels also denounced communism,” Mahimpit said in a statement released Wednesday.

The surrender and flag burning capped the two-day peace program at the President Roxas town gymnasium spearheaded by the local government and the Army's 901st Infantry Brigade with the theme “Pagkakaisa ng Mamamayan Susi sa Kaunlaran.

Mahimpit said all the 25 villages of the town are now free from the influence and control of communist rebels, adding villagers are more emboldened to resist NPA extortion and abuses -- especially in remote communities.

“They are no longer welcome here; our people have been awakened and they stood against the rebels,” Mahimpit said.

Ka Ben Talos, one of the former rebels who denounced the rebel movement, told reporters covering Monday's mass surrender in President Roxas town said they have had enough of the NPA’s "lie and deception."

“Enough is enough, we are tired, and we would like to live freely and peacefully,” he said in the dialect.

Mahimpit said the NPA should respect the town's "persona non grata" declaration against the communist insurgents.

The mayor said the ex-NPA rebels will be enrolled in the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) for them to avail of livelihood assistance and help then reintegrate to the mainstream society.

"Never support these terrorists again. Your government is on your side. They have just polluted your mind in order to achieve their personal desires,” Mahimpit told the ex-rebels, who burned rebel flags and shouted invectives against the NPA.

Col. Gabriel Viray III, 901IB commander, expressed elation over the mass surrender of NPA regulars and supporters and the local government's contribution in making it happen.

“To see the local government empowering its people to cooperate with the government's effort of peace and order was already a great manifestation that we are not far from reaching our desired peace and development," Viray said.

Viray said that among the NPA atrocities in President Roxas was the abduction of town deputy police chief Maj. Menardo Cui in December 2017.

Cui was freed seven months after through former Special Assistant to the President and now Senator Christopher “Bong” Go in Sitio Apog-Apog, Barangay Panaka, Magpet, North Cotabato.

In 2014, the rebels also attacked the neighboring Arakan town police station but failed as the policemen fought back. Four rebels were killed in the incident.

The NPA, together with the Communist Party of the Philippines, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1075178

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