NPAs remnants called to surrender, cooperate with the government

From the Philippine Information Agency (Aug 10, 2020): NPAs remnants called to surrender, cooperate with the government (By Freddie G. Lazaro)

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union, Aug. 10 (PIA) - - Police Brigadier General Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr., the regional police director of Region 1, had called the remnants of the New People’s Army (NPA) bandits in Ilocos to surrender and cooperate with the government for lasting peace and development.

Azurin made the call following the encounter in Ilocos Sur that happened in Barangay Suagayan, Sta. Lucia town this weekend that resulted in the death of at least seven persons involving five NPAs, one soldier and a civilian.

“I’m calling all the remaining NPAs in the Ilocos to lay down your firearms and surrender to the authorities. Give the chance to the current administration to show to you the gradual reform it initiated for the betterment of our country,” he said.

Upon the issuance by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on the Executive Order No. 70 on December 4, 2018, at least 20 national government agencies and stakeholders are joining together for the implementation of the whole of nation approach to end the local communist’s armed conflict.

The Duterte administration also enhanced the Comprehensive Livelihood Integration Program (CLIP) to institutionalize the giving of more benefits and assistance to the surrendered NPAs and their supporters.

Through his EO 70, President Duterte has been true and serious about its goal of ending the problem of insurgency in the country before his term will end in 2022.

He cited that the information given by the community residents to the authorities about the presence of the rebels in Suagayan village in Sta. Lucia, Ilocos Sur is a sign of their resistance against the communist-terrorist movement.

Meanwhile, the local police operatives are currently conducting a follow-up investigation of the encounter in Ilocos Sur.

He said the nine firearms recovered by the soldiers from the encounter site such as four M16 Armalite rifles, two M14 rifles, one caliber 45 pistols, one 9mm pistol, and one shotgun are subject for ballistic examination.

Some of the recovered firearms and belongings of the NPA rebels after an encounter in Barangay Suagayan, Sta. Lucia, Ilocos Sur over the weekend. (Courtesy photo from the 702nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army)

“The result of the ballistic examination will serve as one of the pieces of evidence for the filing of appropriate charges against the NPAs involved in the encounter,” said Azurin.

Aside from the firearms, the government troops recovered from the encounter site the six Improvised Explosive Device, 15 blasting caps, five detonating switches, two rolls of 25 meters wire, three hand grenades, 15 cellphones, subversive documents, and assorted medicines. The recovered items were belonging to the NPAs.

Army Brigadier General Audrey L. Pasia, the commander of the 702nd Brigade, said in a press statement that he and his troops are firm to their move on putting an end of the NPAs group, Kilusang Larangang Guerilya – Southern Ilocos Sur (KLG-SIS).

“I would like to acknowledge the support given by the Provincial Task Force - End Local Communist Armed Conflict under the helm of Ilocos Sur Governor Ryan Singson for without the system in placed, the successful operation will not come into fruition," Pasia said in a press statement. (JCR/FGL, PIA 1)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1049902