Community support program sways 'Reds' to rejoin gov't

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 20, 2021): Community support program sways 'Reds' to rejoin gov't (By Perla Lena)

SURRENDERED. Some of the 30 firearms surrendered by 26 Milisyang Bayan on April 17, 2021. Major Cenon Pancito III, the spokesperson of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID), said on Tuesday (April 20, 2021) that the surrender was due to the efforts of the Community Support Program teams deployed in rebel-influenced areas. (Photo courtesy of 301st Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army)

The community support program (CSP) deployed in areas influenced by communist terrorist groups (CTGs) in Iloilo province and this city was able to convince 26 Milisyang Bayan and 19 members of various sectors allied with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) to return to the government fold.

The 26 Milisyang Bayan were presented to their local chief executives in a simple ceremony held at the Camp Ceferino in Barangay Libot, Calinog, Iloilo on April 17 while the 19 others took their oath of allegiance to the government on April 14 in Mandurriao District here.

Major Cenon Pancito III, the spokesperson of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID), said that Milisyang Bayan is being used by the CPP-NPA as part of its intelligence network and tactical offensive.

“We are thankful because of this CSP we are able to convince these people to turn their back from the NPA and support the government’s efforts of genuine peace,” he said on Tuesday.

The Milisyang Bayan surrenderers are composed of six from the municipality of Calinog, seven from the municipality of Lambunao, and 13 from the municipality of Janiuay.

They yielded to the 12th Infantry Battalion (12IB) and the Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict in their respective municipalities.

They also turned over 15 short and 15 long firearms following their presentation to their local government units (LGUs).

Pancito said the Milisyang Bayan were presented to their mayors because the LGU has a say in terms of the provision of livelihood assistance.

They will be subjected to validation to be able to avail of the firearm remuneration and cash and livelihood assistance as provided for under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

“We will work it out that they avail of the support,” he said.

Present during the event were 12IB commanding officer Lt. Col. Joseph Jason Estrada, Janiuay Mayor Bienvenido Margarico, Calinog Municipal information officer Chester Larroder, and Iloilo Police Provincial Office director Col. Gilbert Gorero.

Meanwhile, the 19 members and officers of Katilingban Sang Imol Sa Syudad Organisadong Grupo (KAISOG) led by Evelyn Pinuela; Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) under Alex Pinuela; Anak-Bayan member Francis Pinuela, and transport group led by Evan Pinuela took their oath of allegiance as one of the highlights of the multi-sectoral meeting facilitated by the CSP team of the 33rd Civil-Military Operation (CMO) Company.

Pancito added that with the CSP, people will have a change of heart the moment the team speaks to them.

“Our CSP is our primary tool in clearing the barangays of the influence of the CPP-NPA,” he added.

Brig. Gen. Marion Sison, commander of the 301st Infantry Brigade, in a statement said the mass surrender of CPP-NPA members is “a strong manifestation that the former rebels can no longer be deceived by the false ideologies of the communist terrorist group”.

The CPP-NPA is listed as a terror group by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1137404