321 former members, supporters withdraw support for NPA in Agusan del Sur

 From the Manila Bulletin (Sep 18, 2020): 321 former members, supporters withdraw support for NPA in Agusan del Sur (By Mike Crismundo)

BUTUAN CITY – Three hundred twenty-one former mass supporters and members of the New People’s Army (NPA) withdrew their support to the terrorist group, and pledged to support the government’s peace and development program.

Members and supporters of the New People’s Army (NPA) burn the communist flag and take their oath of allegiance to the Republic as a sign of their withdrawal to the communist movement during the peace rally and mass withdrawal ceremony held at Esperanza National High School Gymnasium, Barangay Poblacion, Esperanza town, Agusan del Sur province. (Photo courtesy of 4th ID-PAO, 26th IB-CMO via Mike U. Crismundo/Manila Bulletin)

As a sign of their withdrawal to the dwindling communist movement, they burned the Communist flag, and affirmed their allegiance to the government during a peace rally and mass withdrawal ceremony held at Esperanza National High School Gymnasium, Poblacion, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur.

“They denounced the Communist movement, burned the Communist flag (NPA), and chanted slogans for peace, development and progress in their respective communities,” Public Affairs Office (PAO) Chief of the Fourth Infantry Division (4th ID) Maj. Rodulfo S. Cordero, Jr. told The Manila Bulletin on Friday.

Those who turned their backs to the Communist movement were 29 former regular members, 80 Milisya ng Bayan (MB) members, 12 supporters, 151 mass organization members, 23 contacts, and 26 couriers.

They were former mass organization members and supporters of Guerilla Front (GF) 88, GF89 and GF4-B of Northern Central Mindanao Regional Command (NCMRC).

“They voluntarily withdrew their support to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-NPA-National Democratic Front (NDF), and subsequently denounced the atrocities and exploitation of the terrorist group in their respective communities,” Cordero said.

The mass withdrawal was made possible through the efforts of the Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (MTF-ELCAC), headed by Esperanza town Mayor Leonida Manpatilan, and through the efforts of the 26th Infantry Battalion (26th IB) in conducting its Community Support Program (CSP) in conflict-affected areas.

“The presence of these terrorists is a threat to our security as they instill fear to people in the communities and kill civilians who contradict their propaganda. But today, I am happy to commend all of you for coming back to the fold of law without fear and hesitation,” Manpatilan said.

“We are now peace partners and rest assured that the LGU-Esperanza will help you in providing what you need to start a new life,” she added.

The Esperanza municipal government also granted financial assistance to former NPA members during the activity.

https://mb.com.ph/2020/09/18/321-former-members-supporters-withdraw-support-for-npa-in-agusan-del-sur/