Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Army official cites ex-rebels’ resolve to leave armed struggle

From the Philippine News Agency (May 19, 2020): Army official cites ex-rebels’ resolve to leave armed struggle (By Nanette Guadalquiver)



SURRENDER. Lt. Col. Erwin Cariño (right), commander of 15th Infantry Battalion, and 2nd Lt. Weann Sandag (left), civil-military operations officer, with former rebels Hermosilla “Aya” Villamor (2nd from right) and Teody “Koko” Manorte, who surrendered to the unit in Cauayan, Negros Occidental last Thursday (May 14, 2020). The 15IB is assisting the two in the processing of documentary requirements for their enrollment in the government’s Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program. (Photo courtesy of 15th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army)

The top official of the Philippine Army in Western and Central Visayas lauded former communist-terrorist rebels in Negros and Panay for their resolve to leave the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).

Maj. Gen. Eric Vinoya, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, said their decision to leave the armed struggle provides hope, inspiration, and encouragement to those who also want to return to the fold of the law.

“With their resolve of giving up their senseless and bloody flight, these returnees are giving new hope not only to themselves, but also to those who have intentions to leave the armed movement, but forced to stay due to threats and intimidation from their comrades,” Vinoya said in a statement on Tuesday.

The latest who voluntarily surrendered on May 14 were two former NPA cadres of the South West Front in Negros Island.

Hermosilla “Aya” Villamor, 45, member of Front Committee; and Teody “Koko” Manorte, 27, squad leader of SYP Platoon, turned themselves in to the 15th Infantry Battalion (15IB) based in Barangay Tiling in Cauayan, Negros Occidental.

Lt. Col. Erwin Cariño, commander of 15IB, said the two yielded through the effort of the battalion’s Community Support Program (CSP) team operating in Barangay Sangke, Hinobaan town.

Villamor, a former finance and medical officer of the NPA South East Front and medical staff of Front 1B, Bohol Party Committee, is now the political guide of the SYP Platoon of South West Front.

“Their surrender is concrete proof of increasing dissatisfaction among the NPA ranks brought by their false ideological hopes and dwindling leadership,” Cariño said.

He added that the 15IB will assist the former rebels in the processing of documentary requirements for their enrollment in the government’s Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

Meanwhile, Col. Noel Baluyan, commander of 302nd Infantry Brigade, which supervises the 15IB, commended Cariño’s unit for facilitating the surrender of the two communist rebels.

“Negrenses are already fed up with the NPA’s extortion activities and deceitful tactics of exploiting and agitating vulnerable sectors of the society, including the youth,” he said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1103315

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