Kalinaw News: 4 NPAs surrender to 60IB BLAC

From Kalinaw News (Mar 8, 2021): 4 NPAs surrender to 60IB BLAC



Asuncion, DDN- Four (4) regular members of the New People’s Army (NPA) have recently surrendered to LTC Ronaldo Sarmiento, Commander of the 60th Infantry “MEDIATOR” Battalion through its Balik-Loob Assistance Center (BLAC). The said voluntary surrender was made possible through the collaboration of their respective family members with 60IB. This was also made by possible by the unit’s developmental efforts in the community and their observed treatment of other former rebels since 60IB’s deployment in Agusan del Sur.

The four (4) surrenderees, who includes a minor, were members of the Weakened Guerilla Front 3 (WGF3) under the Sub Regional Committee 4 of Southern Mindanao Regional Command. Danni, who initiated the surrender, admitted that he was also the one who recruited the other two (2) surrenderees while the minor, Ago, joined because his father is already a member of the said group.

In an interview, Ago revealed that during his more than one year of stay in the group, he was involved in some encounters against government troops. He was utilized as a child warrior at an early age of 14. The case of Ago is a manifestation that the CPP-NPA-NDF’s propaganda and advocacies oppose their actions. They clearly violate the Comprehensive Agreement for the Respect of Human Rights and the International Humanitarian Law (CARHIHL), an agreement they signed with the government.

In a separate interview, Danni said that he initiated the surrender because he no longer finds his purpose in the revolution. He is actually tired of the broken promises and harsh way of life inside the communist group. His wife, who was also a member of WGF3, is also having trouble with her pregnancy as she experienced miscarriage twice due to the constant operations of the said group which forces members to take long walks and heavy loads of work. This was also intensified by the lack of proper nutrition and medical care of the members especially those needing special medical attention. Adding to these, the organizational problems such as corruption, lack of food supplies, and mismanagement of their leaders is also the common problem that caused not only Danni and his wife but also their two other comrades to abandon the armed struggle.

“We are tired of running and hiding. We now realize that we are fighting on the wrong side and that this will bring us nothing but death. We want our family to be safe and to feel the comfort of home like every other family enjoys,” Danni added.

Furthermore, other surrenderees have also attested to the communist terrorist’s mistreatment. According to them, the group do not value their comrades, they disregard their relationship with their fellow members. In most cases, their leaders abuse their lower elements and worse, rape their female members.

Other revelations further expose the CPP-NPA’s exploitation of the masses especially in marginalized communities where there is lack of education. The innocent members of the community are being used as informants, couriers, and sources of their survival needs (usually money, food, shelter, etc.)

In a statement, 60IB Commander, Lt. Col. Ronaldo Sarmiento said, “The CPP-NPA is nothing but a terrorist group. They never fulfill their promises of giving support to your families because in reality, their funds go only to their leaders. They also do not want you to be educated because then, you will realize that their ideals are all but blatant lies and that they will never be able to fool you. Only the real government can bring the peace and comfort that anyone hopes for his family. Given that we are now in a collaborative working government, you can only hope for a better future if you choose to yield and start anew. So together, let us end the CPP-NPA’s intrusion in your community. It will not be us [military], not the local government, but you yourselves will be able to bring peace amongst yourselves and your community.”

The surrenderees will undergo complete physical examination and medical check-up. Later on, they will be enrolled to the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program where they may receive livelihood assistance and cash remuneration for surrendered firearms. They will also undergo psychological, social, and economic interventions to ensure that they will be reintegrated in their respective commun



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https://www.kalinawnews.com/4-npas-surrender-to-60ib-blac/