Kalinaw News: 25 Mass Supporters from Sta Maria, Ilocos Sur have awaken and withdrew their support from the CPP-NPA-NDF

Posted to Kalinaw News (Sep 21, 2020): 25 Mass Supporters from Sta Maria, Ilocos Sur have awaken and withdrew their support from the CPP-NPA-NDF

STA. CRUZ, ILOCOS SUR – With the recent successes of the government against the Communist Terrorist Groups (CTG) in the province and the snowballing of Militiang Bayan members surrendering with their CTG-issued firearms, the mass supporters of the CPP-NPA, specifically the Komiteng Larangan Guerilla – South Ilocos Sur (KLG-SIS) and its armed wing the Alfredo Cesar Command which are operating in the province of Ilocos Sur, are awakening from the lies and deception of the communist terrorists. This is evident when 25 exploited members of the Underground Mass Organization (UGMO) from Barangay Babal-lasioan, Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur withdrew their supports from the CPP-NPA Terrorists and took their Oath of Allegiance yesterday, September 19, 2020.

These 25 exploited former UGMO members of the said brgy are composed of one (1) Sangay sa Partido sa Lokalidad (SPL)/ Milisyang Bayan (MB), seven (7) members of the Pambansang Kilusan ng Magsasaka (PKM), eight (8) Malayang Kilusan ng Bagong Kababaihan (MAKIBAKA) members and nine (9) Kabataang Makabayan (KM) members from Sitio Paring, Barangay Baballasioan, Sta Maria, Ilocos Sur.

Prior to their withdrawal of support, these former mass supporters were reoriented and enlightened on the deceptive recruitment and organizing of the CNTs and its effects to their community. They acknowledged that they were afraid of the presence of the armed elements of KLG SIS in their communities and unaware that they were slowly being exploited and deceived by the CTGs when they were just according and showing hospitality to some members of the armed group whenever they visit their community unarmed.

Further, they were swayed by the various teachings provided to them until their visits became frequent and the numbers of the CTGs frequenting their sitio grew to include armed individuals. Among those who provided teachings to these former UGMO members that they recognized through a gallery of pictures of KLG-SIS members were Ranny Velle Urbis @ MARIA/ NISE, who was recently captured by the authorities in Brgy Damacuag, Sta Lucia, Ilocos Sur and the late Pamela Peralta @MAYMAY, who was one of those killed during the encounter in Brgy Suagayan, Sta Lucia, Ilocos Sur. According to them, Ranny Velle Urbis introduced herself as @ABEL, while the late Pamela Peralta used @JOAN as her alias.

After their reorientation, these former UGMO members voluntarily took their Oath of Allegiance to the Government and Withdrawal of Support and Cooperation to the CTG as well as Panunumpa sa Watawat, which was administered by Hon. Brigido C. Camarillo Jr, the Municipal Mayor and Chairman of the Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (MTF-ELCAC). Also present during the activity were Sangguniang Bayan (SB) members headed by Hon. Vice Mayor Michael Florendo, Barangay Officials of Barangay Babal-lasioan headed by Barangay Chairman Darlito L. Santiago, LTC RODRIGO A MARIÑAS JR, Commanding Officer of the 81IB, personnel from Santa Maria MPS and Municipal Social Welfare Development Office (MSWDO) of said municipality.

During the simple ceremony, Aka Peling, one of the UGMO members provided a testimony and stated that “Patawarin ninyo po sana ako… dahil sa takot ko sa mga CPP-NPA-NDF kaya naman napilitan akong magsuporta sa kanila na siyang tigahatid o di kaya naman ay tiga bili ng kanilang mga panganga-ilangan at pagkain.”

Hon Mayor Camarillo stated that, “Sa mga taga Sitio Paring alam ko na takot kayo at naiintindihan namin ang inyong sitwasyon…” He added, huwag na kayong matakot sapagkat palaging bukas ang ating munisipyo 24/7 upang kayo ay tulungan gayundin naririto ang mga kasundaluhan at kapulisan na ating kaagapay para sa katahimikan ng ating bayan.”

Meanwhile, Lt. Col Marinas Jr PA in his message, “Through the Whole of Nation Approach being espoused by no less that the President himself, it is high time that we have to heed his call through our strong and untiring support towards this campaign and condemn the continued deception and exploitation of the CPP-NPA in our communities”. He further added that, “Your withdrawal of support against the KLG-SIS or the Alfredo Cesar Command of the CPP-NP`A is one big step in eradicating their influence and in realizing a long and lasting peace and development in the Province of Ilocos Sur. We hope that other sitios and barangays from other municipalities will follow the example of these former CTG supporters here in Sta Maria and in other places in the province”.

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