Thursday, October 31, 2019

2 NPA members surrender in Nueva Ecija

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 29, 2019): 2 NPA members surrender in Nueva Ecija



SURRENDER. Lt. Col. Dennis C. Wenceslao, commander of the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company of the Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office, poses for a photo with two New People's Army (NPA) rebels who yielded to authorities in Nueva Ecija on Monday (Oct. 28, 2019). He said his immediate superior, NEPPO provincial director, Col. Leon Victor Rosete, is calling on the remaining NPA members to leave the terrorist group and rejoin the mainstream society. (Photo courtesy of Lt. Col. Dennis C. Wenceslao)

Two active members of the New People’s Army's (NPA) Kilusang Larangang Guerilla (KLG) operating in the provinces of Aurora and Nueva Ecija surrendered to operatives of the Philippine Army and Philippine National Police (PNP) in Sitio Dupinga, Barangay Malinao, Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija on Monday.

Lt. Col. Dennis C. Wenceslao, commander of the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company of the Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office (NEPPO),
identified the two surrenderers as Bestre Dandan, also known as "Kevin", 22, and Niko Pangilinan alias "Sam", 20, both residents of Barangay Malinao, Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija.


The surrender was the result of joint operations conducted by the Philippine Army’s 91st Infantry Battalion led by Lt. Col. Jose Marie F. Torrenueva II, 69th Infantry Battalion under the supervision of Lt. Col. Arcadio S. Posada, 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company/Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office (PMFC-NEPPO) and intelligence operatives after receiving information from civilian tipsters who have stopped supporting the communist terrorist groups.

“It is a joint operation of the Army and police that facilitated the safe return to the government and integration to the mainstream society of the two active members of CPP/NPA KLG Sierra Madre Front operating in Aurora and Nueva Ecija,” Wenceslao said.

He said the surrenderers are undergoing tactical debriefing right now and in the custody of the 1st PMFC NEPPO.

Wenceslao said his immediate superior, NEPPO provincial director Col. Leon Victor Rosete, is calling on the remaining NPA members to leave the terrorist group and rejoin the mainstream society.

“Col. Rosete is expressing his delight for the rebels in this province who heeded his call to go back to the folds of the government and be with their families this Christmas season,” he told the Philippine News Agency.

Torrenueva likewise called on the rebels to yield and return to their families.

He said in an exclusive interview that based on the revelations of the surrenderers, they do not have food in the mountains and often go hungry while running from the government soldiers.

“I am calling all CTG (communist terrorist group) members to surrender and let us work together to end insurgency and live a peaceful and meaningful life since the Yuletide season is coming. It is the best decision for themselves (NPA) to be with their families. That’s the best Christmas ever experience as they reunite with their respective families,” Torrenueva said.

He also said that more rebels are expected to surrender based on the revelations of Dandan and Pangilinan.

Torrenueva also cited the result of the ongoing activities of the Provincial Task Force on Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) in Aurora and Nueva Ecija wherein the government groups are “focusing development initiatives” and harmonizing the delivery of inclusive social services in conflict-affected and vulnerable areas in the two provinces.

PTF-ELCAC was set in motion by members of the Provincial Development Council (PDC) and the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) who also signed a “manifesto of support” condemning the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF), along with the Department of the Interior and Local Government and other line agencies, municipal mayors, other local government unit (LGU) representatives, and concerned stakeholders.

The military official also cited the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), a holistic inter-agency approach of the government to end insurgency peacefully, by encouraging rebels to join mainstream society through various grants and compensations to help them start a normal life anew.

Upon validation and approval of their enrollment to the program, each former rebel will receive PHP65,000 representing the immediate and livelihood assistance to former NPAs.

“The package of benefits covers housing, education, and health care, among others, which the government is offering in its effort to unify the country and attain genuine, lasting peace,” Torrenueva said.

The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1084515

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