NPA supporters severe ties

From the Visayan Daily Star (Jul 31, 2019): NPA supporters severe ties

About 171 former supporters of the New People’s Army in the barangays of Toboso in Negros Occidental have severed their affiliation with the rebel movement by denouncing their atrocities in northern Negros.

After attending two days of peace building activities organized by the 79th Infantry Battalion and the municipal government of Toboso, led by Mayor Richard Jaojoco on July 27 and 28, the former rebel supporters were awakened to the lies and deceptions of the NPA, that were also exposed by those who already surrendered to the government, Lt. Col. Emelito Thaddeus Loga, its commander, said.

The Toboso municipal government was the first local government unit in Negros Occidental, to declare the CPP-NPA-NDF as persona non grata, and was followed by the city government of Escalante, while the city government of San Carlos denounced the NPA atrocities.

Logan said that resource speakers from the government agencies, including the Municipal Agrarian Reform Office, Municipal Social Welfare Development Office and the Local Government Operations Office of Toboso, also explained to the participants their programs intended to help uplift their lives in their respective areas.

After the two-day seminar, the former rebel supporters and sympathizers, who were carrying placards and streamers denouncing NPA atrocities, marched along the poblacion of Toboso, also expressing their desire for lasting peace, he added.

The two-day activity was capped with the burning the CPP-NPA flag, and the group pledged their loyalty to the government in an oath of allegiance administered by the Toboso municipal officials.

Logan also commended the Toboso officials for their support in the counter-insurgency campaign of the Philippine Army against the rebel group.

“Our Community Support Program operations will continue in order to realize other insurgency affected and influenced local populace and aware from the deceptive techniques of the CPP-NPA”, he added.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2019/July/31/topstory11.htm