BUENAVISTA, Agusan del Norte, Sept. 2 -- A total of 150 members and mass supporters of the Communist New People’s Army Terrorist (CNT) formally surrendered all together and pledged allegiance to the government in a ceremony held recently in Sitio Macopa, Barangay Poblacion, Carmen town, this province.
The activity was led by the 23rd Infantry (Masigasig) Battalion (23IB), Philippine Army with the support of the local government unit (LGU) of Carmen, the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the different line agencies of the government.
Among the one hundred fifty (150) CNT members who surrendered, 30 were members of the Militia ng Bayan (MB) while 120 were mass supporters of the movement who come from two barangays in Carmen town and were part of the underground links and affiliates of the CNTs, particularly the Sangay ng Partido sa Lokalidad, Yunit Milisyang Bayan, Pambansang Katipunan ng Magbubukid sa Pilipinas, Malayang Kilusan ng Bagong Kababaihan and Kabataang Makabayan.
The mass surrender was achieved through the efforts of the Community Support Program (CSP) of the 23rd IB and the Community Action (ComAct) Team of the PNP, with the support of the council members of Barangay Rojales and Poblacion and the Local Government Unit to clear and to dismantle the remaining members of the Guerrilla Front (GF) 4A as well as destroy the Sentro de Grabidad (SDG) CAOCAO and Sub-Regional Sentro de Gabidad (SRSDG) SAGAY of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) of the CNT. The ultimate aim of the joint efforts is to bring peace and order and pave the way for the implementation of the development initiatives of the government to the conflict-affected areas of Barangays Rojales and Poblacion in Carmen.
During the ceremony, the 150 mass surrenderers denounced the CNTs, formally cut their allegiance to the communist movement, and declared the CNTs as persona non grata in their barangays. The declaration of persona non grata is the result of the realization of the residents of the manipulations done by the CNTs and the expression that they are already fed up, sick and tired of the presence and exploitation of the communist rebels. They also condemned the terroristic acts done by the CNTs in their communities and pledged to support the programs and services of the government in their localities.
The former rebels also handed over firearms during the ceremony and burned the CPP-NPA flag as a symbol of their decision in choosing a new path for peace and development. The surrendered firearms were accepted by Mayor Jovette C. Calo of Carmen town and Lt. Col. Julius Cesar C. Paulo, the Acting Commanding Officer of 23IB.
In her statement, Mayor Calo expressed gratitude to the residents of Barangays Poblacion and Rojales, especially to the former members of the CNTs for their decision to leave the communist movement and return to the folds of the law.
“Now you have chosen the right path of your life to reach out to your dreams not only for yourself but for your family as well. In fact, your courage and braveness symbolized the cutting-off of support to the CNTs,” Mayor Calo said.
She added that as the mother of the municipality, she is encouraging every parent to become vigilant and look after their children to protect them from the recruitment of the CNTs. “We need to protect them from the deceptions of the CNTs. I hope that after this activity, you will become the parents who think about what will be your next step to change your community for the better,” Mayor Calo said.
In his testimony, Alias June, one of the surrenderers thanked the government and the 23rd IB for the new opportunities given to them to live peacefully. “Nagpasalamat mi og dako sa atong gobyerno ug sa kasundalohan sa 23IB, sa kapulisan ug sa tanan nga agency nga naningkamot ug nitabang aron mahan-ay ang among kinabuhi. Layo ra kaayo ang trato sa CPP-NPA sa amoa kung itandi nako sa pag trato sa kasundaluhan ug sa gobyerno sa amo. Mao nga dako kaayo ang ano pag mahay sa pag supporta namo sa walhong grupo nga wala man nakatabang ka name,” Alias Jun said.
During the activity, each of the former rebels was also provided with initial assistance such as five kilos of rice from the LGU Carmen.
Furthermore, the Technical Education Skills Development Authority in Agusan del Norte (TESDA-ADN) led by Provincial Director Rey Cueva also provided them with marinated bangus and assorted biscuits. As long-term assistance, TESDA-ADN will also process the former rebels to be enrolled in the different scholarship grants of the agency for them to undergo schooling on different skills education and training programs.
Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Paulo, in his message during the ceremony, expressed gladness over the increasing number of CNT members who surrendered to the government to embrace a peaceful life by reintegrating into mainstream society.
“We urge the remaining members of the CNTS to lay down their arms and return to their families and communities. We are always willing to help and assist you to get back to your normal lives,” Paulo said.
He added that the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) is designed to reshape the lives of CNTs who awaken from their dark days inside the communist movement and decide to renew their lives.
“Our brothers and sisters who are already exasperated and riled while languishing from miserable lives inside the CNT movement deserve to live peacefully. The government is giving them the chance to experience new lives with their families,” Paulo said. (1Lt. Roel T. Maglalang, CMO Officer, 23IB PA)
https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1051944
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