Sunday, August 30, 2020

Kalinaw News: 66 NPA members, mass supporters surrender in Misamis Oriental

From Kalinaw News (Aug 30, 2020): 66 NPA members, mass supporters surrender in Misamis Oriental
BUENAVISTA, Agusan del Norte – Sixty-six (66) members of the Militia ng Bayan (MB) and mass supporters of the Communist New People’s Army Terrorist (CNT) yield to the government in a Mass Surrender and Oath of Allegiance to the Government Ceremony held on Friday, August 28, 2020 in Barangay Mindulao, Magsaysay town in Misamis Oriental.

The mass surrender activity was conducted through the convergence of efforts of the joint Community Support Program (CSP) team of the 23rd Infantry (Masigasig) Battalion and Community Action (ComAct) Team of the Philippine National Police (PNP), members of the barangay council of Mindulao and the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Magsaysay.
The CNT members and mass supporters, as they pledged loyalty and allegiance to the government, also renounced the Communist Party of the Philippine (CPP) and its armed wing, the NPA, and the National Democratic Front (NDF) and their terroristic activities that affected the lives of the residents and communities in Misamis Oriental.

The activity was graced by Magsaysay Mayor Rey B. Buhisan, Vice Mayor Charlie Buhisan, 23IB Acting Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Julius Cesar C. Paulo, Magsaysay Police Chief Capt. Steohen Benbian F. Latar and the representatives from different line agencies of the government.

Alias Ken-Ken, a Militia ng Bayan Member (MB) made a testimony during the activity particularly on how he was convinced to join the CNT movement.

“Tungod kay naa me nagpuyo sa sook nga dapit, dali ra gyod me nakabig ug mahangyo sa armadong grupo. Tungod usab kay nahadlok me sa ila kay naa man silay dala nga tag-as nga armas busa among gisunod ang ilang mga sugo kanamo. Nagmahay na me sa among mga nahimong desisyon tungod kay among nakita karon nga dako diay kaayo to ug kadaot sa among komunidad. Karon, padayon na natong suportahan ang kalihukan sa atong gobyerno ug dili na namo usbon ang paghatag ug pagkaon sa mga armado,” Ken-Ken said.

Meanwhile, in his message, Mayor Buhisan told the former rebels that the government is serious in its pursuit to attain genuine peace and development.

“Our government is serious in its mission of pursuing development in every community through ending the local communist armed conflict and with the convergence for peace and development program. Every agency is directed to use its available resources and budget to provide services to the local populace to achieve lasting peace and development,” Buhisan said.

He also expressed gladness over the decision of the sixty-six (66) former CNT members to go back to the folds of the law.

“You are not doing this only for yourselves but also for the future of your children and for the next generation. We always wish to give you all a peaceful life apart from the CNTs who keep on exploiting and disturbing you. Let us all fulfill our dreams in life; if there is a need for changes, we will change it by doing what is right for the benefit of everyone. Do not hesitate to build yourselves positively to achieve a bright, harmonious and peaceful kind of life that can also make positive changes in your community and our country as a whole,” Buhisan said.





For his part, Lt. Col. Julius Cesar C. Paulo, the acting commander of 23rd IB expressed gratitude to the former rebels for giving their full support to the government.

“We thank the former CNT members and supporters for trusting the government and bravely submitting theirselves in the folds of the law. Our government is always willing to help you start a new beginning in order for you and your children to have a brighter future because you chose to stand in the right path,” Paulo said.

He also emphasized that the 23rd IB and the different line government agencies of the government are always ready to help and will remain sincere in providing support to the former rebels.

“Let us give back to the government all the great plans they want for us by giving our support and by helping one another. We urge you not to be afraid of the CNTs and don’t believe in their deceptions who will just take advantage of your innocent vulnerabilities. They are just using socio-economic issues to agitate you to fight the government,” Paulo said.

Furthermore, he also urged the former CNT members to protect their communities in order for them to live peacefully and progressively.

“We are here and we conduct this activity because we care about you and we want you to experience living in peace and harmony,” Paulo said.





[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/66-npa-members-mass-supporters-surrender-in-misamis-oriental/

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