Kalinaw News: “NPA Brings No Future But Death” Former Rebels Say Laak, Davao De Oro

Posted to Kalinaw News (Dec 6, 2020): “NPA Brings No Future But Death” Former Rebels Say Laak, Davao De Oro

Camp General Manuel T Yan Sr, Mawab, Davao de Oro – “During the peace talks, armed NPA members went to our home and asked my father to organize a meeting to reorganize the people, my father cannot refuse their request because they were armed and he was also afraid because the NPA also killed his parents,” an emotional former rebel sharing her testimony during the culmination of the 4-day Peace Building Seminar in Laak, Davao De Oro, on December 5, 2020.

80 underground mass organization members (UGMO) and former rebels (FRs) from Brgy. Amor Cruz, Brgy. Bagong Silang, and Brgy Ceboleda, in Laak, Davao De Oro joined the 4-day seminar organized by the 60th Infantry “Mediator” Battalion led by Lt. Col. Ronaldo Sarmiento (GSC) PA, held at Amor Cruz Elementary School.

During the seminar, the government’s basic services were discussed to the participants as well as the conduct of livelihood and technical training that resulted in the formulation of a one-year action plan from each participating barangay from the different people’s organization formed by the Community Support Program (CSP) team and the induction of its officers.

Meanwhile, alias Juny, a former rebel working as finance collector in Brgy Amor Cruz warned his fellow participants not to be deceived again as NPA only brings death.

“I urge my fellow participants not to be deceived again, let us work legally instead of joining them because we don’t have a future with them,” Juny said.

While, alias Pompey, a former rebel for nine years and vice commanding officer for guerrilla front 33 said he feels guilty in recruiting several people for the NPA knowing all they did before was based on a mere theory and a lie.

“During my time with the NPA, we never gave even a single sack of gravel for the road repairs and a sack of rice for the people to eat. But when I got out from the movement, I discovered the true democracy and I am thankful for this seminar for presenting the different government services I thought before that never existed,” alias Pompey said.

On the other hand, Municipality of Laak, Mayor Antonio Libuangan, represented by his Municipal Administrator Mr. Noel Capon said in his speech that the local government of Laak allocated a huge budget for the programs backing the community support programs of the Philippine Army. He added that they will support the people’s organization’s action plans.
Also, Mediator Battalion Commander Lt. Col Ronaldo Sarmiento pointed out the benefits of executive order 70 (EO70) towards the residents and the deceitful acts of the terrorist group.

“Inside the CPP-NPA-NDF, you don’t have freedom of choice. You are lucky with the implementation of EO 70 as it unites the government agencies in addressing issues in the communities and we can see projects that benefit the community being done. The NPA does not want those projects to finish so that you still have issues with us that will be used during rallies,” Lt. Col. Sarmiento added.

Moreover, 10th Infantry “Agila” Division Commander MGen Reuben Basiao in a message delivered by Assistant Division Commander for Reservist and Retirees Affairs Col. Febie Lamerez said that “development of conflict-resilient communities is the primary purpose of the Division’s Campaign. These are communities that will be able to resist by their own the recovery efforts of the NPA using under development in these areas as their propaganda. These communities are now well-organized with fully functioning Brgy Based Institutions, that effectively delivers services focused on health, education, livelihood among others. These are communities that could also fully decide and manage their own forest and land resource for their disaster resiliency programs.

“Ang pag-unlad ng ganitong klaseng komunidad ay bawal at hindi pinapayagan ng anumang yunit ng NPA kaya dito sila nabubuhay sa kahirapan-ang pagkukulang ng serbisyo sa isang lugar. Ang sitwasyun ng ganitong komunidad ay ang basehan ng NPA sa kanilang pangre-recruit at pag-organisa ng mga komunidad. Limang dekada na dahil sa ganitong paraan ang mga komunidad natin sa GIDAs ay wala man lang asenso. Salamat sa pagbabagong-loob at paggising sa katotohanan ng mga komunidad,” MGen Basiao added.

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https://www.kalinawnews.com/npa-brings-no-future-but-death-former-rebels-say-laak-davao-de-oro/