Former rebels in Bohol hold rally to denounce NPA

Posted to the Philippine Information Agency (Mar 30, 2021): Former rebels in Bohol hold rally to denounce NPA (By Elvira Bongosia)

TAGBILARAN CITY, March 30 (PIA) -- A group of former rebels who have returned to the fold of the law staged an indignation rally to condemn what they described as a communist terrorist movement during the 52nd founding anniversary of the New People’s Army (NPA) on March 29, 2021 in front of the Trinidad town hall.

In a statement, the Philippine Army’s 47th Infantry Battalion said that around 100 individuals composed of former NPA rebels and some members of farmer groups joined the rally.

The three-hour event started at 9:00 a.m. with a motorcade from Brgy. Soom going sa Sitio TTIFA, Brgy. San Vicente in Trinidad town.

Antonio Muring, chairman of the League of Filipino Students-Bohol and former Anakbayan spokesperson, during his speech called on others not to support the rebel movement which, he said, is following a misguided ideology.

“Miundang ko sa kalihukan, kay sa akong pagka armado human mahimong aktibista, wa nako kasabot sa sistema nila. Wala nako kasabot sa programa sa mga komunistang NPA. Ug karon isip usa na ka kanhi rebelde, akong padayong pag awhag sa katawhan nga dili na mosuporta sa walhong grupo (I left the rebel movement because I could no longer understand their system. I could no longer understand the program of the NPA. Now, as a former rebel, I urge everyone not to support this leftist group),” Muring said.

The former rebel said the rebel movement is still leading its followers nowhere 52 years after its inception and should be stopped.

“Daghan ng biktima sa ilang walay klaro nga pagtoo. Singkwentay Dos nga pagpanglingla sa katawhan ug paghatag ug kagubot sa atong nasud (They have victimized others due to their misguided beliefs. Fifty-two years of deceiving the people and causing trouble in the country),” Muring added.

A candle-lighting rite was also held and prayers were offered for the souls of all the victims of the five-decade armed struggle.

The said rally is one of the initiatives of the former NPA rebels to show support to the government to put an end to the armed struggle with the communists CPP-NPA-NDF.

The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (ecb/PIA7-Bohol)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1071056