8 NPA militias yield in Oriental Mindoro

From the Philippine Information Agency (Sep 22, 2020): 8 NPA militias yield in Oriental Mindoro (By DA 2ID DPAO) 

CAMP CAPINPIN, Tanay, Rizal, Sept 22 (PIA) --As the government’s campaign to end local communist armed conflict continues to prosper in MIMARO provinces, eight more NPA militias surrendered at Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro on Sunday, September 20, 2020.

The localized peace negotiation composed of local government agencies and the AFP-PNP took place at Brgy Benli in Bulalacao at around 1 p.m.

Lt. Col. Alexander Arbolado, Commanding Officer of 4IB attributed the mass surrender to the series of localized peace negotiations in their area that the provincial government has been spearheading in line with President Duterte’s intent to ensure inclusive growth in the grassroots level and finally end the five-decade insurgency.

The military identified the NPA militias as alias Tikling, alias Damang, alias Urang, alias Malata, alias Kagang, alias Birjak, alias Udang, and alias RJay whose true identities are being withheld as part of the security protocol against NPA reprisals.

"They belong to the NPA's Kilusang Larangang Gerilya MAV who used to play a key role in the underground movement’s terroristic activities in the hinterland communities of the province," said Arbolado.

He added that they will undergo the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program or E-CLIP enrolment process, part of which is the DSWD’s needs assessment, profiling, and counseling by health professionals in preparation to their reintegration to mainstream society.

Under the program, each former rebel will receive cash assistance in the amount of Php 15,000.00 provided by the national government. They are also eligible for additional compensations in the form of educational grants, health services, employment, and housing among others.

Colonel Jose Augusto Villareal, Commander of the 203rd Brigade mentioned that the surrenders came from the conflict-affected localities that are also the designated convergence areas of the government’s whole of nation approach to defeat insurgency.

“Our intensified information campaign regarding the terrorists’ deception and the government’s E-CLIP convinced these militias to turn their backs from the underground movement and, instead, chose to lead a peaceful life with their families," he added.

Villareal ended his statement by assuring the people of Mindoro that, "your soldiers, in coordination with the LGUs and other agencies, will be one in our common aspirations to uphold peace and order in the island.”

MGen Greg Almerol, Commander of the Army's 2nd Infantry Division which has operational jurisdiction over Southern Tagalog, admired the former rebels, calling them, “heroes of modern times whose act of turning their backs from the armed struggle is a crucial step in attaining a just and lasting peace in our beloved country."

"Under our care, these former rebels and those who will decide to surrender in the coming days will be assisted by our troops in claiming their E-CLIP grants while we ensure their safety and promote their well-being so that they will be able to peacefully rejoin the mainstream society as responsible and productive Filipinos."

He lauded the local government units and the security forces for the display of teamwork and maintaining a seamless relationship in accomplishing urgent task in sending these NPA terrorists toward their irreversible collapse so that the citizens could move forward and prosper as a nation.

"We are calling upon the few remaining NPA terrorists to follow the path of your former comrades by choosing peace over violence because, as mandated by the constitution, we will get those who still choose to sow terror against the people regardless whether they are dead or alive", ended Almerol.

As of this date, 2ID has a total of 234 militias who voluntarily surrendered to the security forces, raising the number of total NPA surrender to 674 since E-CLIP was implemented in 2016 in Southern Tagalog. (PIA-4A/PA 2ID DPAO)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1053826