From the Manila Bulletin (Jun 24, 2020): 869 Communists ‘neutralized’ in Caraga region – PNP-13 (By Mike Crismundo)
CAMP COL. RAFAEL C. RODRIGUEZ, Butuan City – The Caraga Police Regional Office 13 (PRO 13) on Wednesday reported the neutralization of 869 leaders and members of the New People’s Army (NPA) and groups linked to the Communist terror group in Northeastern Mindanao.
Of those neutralized, 67 were arrested, 12 were killed in police operations, five were captured, and 786 surrendered. Those who gave themselves up were active members, Militia ng Bayan (MB) and Underground Mass Organization (UGMO) members.
PRO-13 Regional Director Brig. Gen. Joselito T. Esquivel, Jr. told The Manila Bulletin on Wednesday that since his assumption of office in September 2019 until June 20 this year, an overwhelming number of leaders and members of Communist terror groups have been successfully neutralized by Philippine National Police (PNP) Caraga in line with PNP’s fight against insurgency in the region.
He said the massive surrender of these leaders and their members were attributed to the combined focused military operations, intelligence efforts, civil-military operation, reintegration efforts and peace and development programs of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), PNP and local government units (LGUs).
“We are expecting more surrenderers in the coming days as former rebels and supporters expressed discontent of the dwindling leadership of the Godless communist movement,” the region’s top cop said.
Statements coming from the former rebels revealed that they were deceived with the false promises of their leaders and the pattern of deception being done by the NPA terrorists, he said.
The surrenderers were NPA regulars, and from Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda Sangay ng Partido sa Lokalidad, Yunit Milisyang Bayan, Grupong Tig-Ugnayan sa Baryo, Grupong Tig-organisa ng Bayan and Komiteng Tig-organisa.
“Government’s Executive Order No. 70 or the whole-of-nation approach in ending local communist armed conflict in the country has been significantly contributory to the surrender of terrorist group members and supporters,” Esquivel said.
“Sooner we will attain inclusive peace and development for the country and our people,” he said.
Currently, PRO 13 and its field units are conducting routine interviews to the surrenderers for processing of their eligibility in order to avail of the government’s assistance for former rebel returnees under the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
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