3ID Commander: Gov't anti-insurgency drive gains ground

From to the Philippine Information Agency (May 26, 2021): 3ID Commander: Gov't anti-insurgency drive gains ground (By Jemin B. Guillermo)

ILOILO CITY, May 26 (PIA) – The surrender of members of the New People’s Army (NPA) Militia ng Bayan is a proof that the government’s anti-insurgency campaign is gaining ground.

Major General Eric C. Vinoya, the Commander of the 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division, attributed the recent surrender of 70 NPA Militia ng Bayan members in Iloilo to the anti-insurgency drive of the government.

“The massive surrender of the NPA Militias indicates two favorable results to our campaign-- winning anti-insurgency drive and dwindling NPA armed movement,” Vinoya said in a press release from the 3ID’s Public Affairs Office.

He added that the surrender of these militias only shows that the communist-terrorist organization is losing ground.

“They are losing not only the support of the people but also the trust and confidence of their members. These significant effects suggest that the government’s effort to end the local communist armed conflict is working and prospering,” Vinoya stressed.

Of the 70 surrenderers, 16 were from the municipality of Miagao, 27 from the Tubungan town, six from the Leon town, and 21 from the municipality of San Joaquin, all of Iloilo province.

They formalized their surrender through a simple ceremony in Camp Monteclaro in Barangay Igtuba, Miagao, Iloilo on May 24, 2021.

 

In addition, they turned over 70 firearms, this, after realizing the false ideologies and inhuman activities of the communist terrorist group.

The surrenderers took their oath of allegiance as they return to the folds of the law and signed in the wall of commitment to reject the atrocities of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in their communities.

Likewise, they burned the CPP-NPA flag as living proof of their sincerity to turn their back on the false ideologies of the organization in their communities. Doves were also released, which symbolizes peace as the surrenderers start the new chapter of their lives.

Each of them also received cash gift amounting to P5,000 and food packs from the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Present during the activity ceremony were 3rd Infantry Division Assistant Commander Brig. General Noel Baluyan, 301st Infantry Brigade Commander Brig. Gen. Marion Sison, 61IB Commanding Officer Col. Joel Benedict Batara, Western Visayas Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict Spokesperson and RTF Legal Cooperation Cluster head Prosecutor Flosemer Chris Gonzales, Miagao mayor Mac Napulan, Leon Sangguniang Bayan member Josephine Marquez.



Also in attendance during the event were San Joaquin Municipal Administrator Leo Satana, Tubugan Public Employment Services Officer Emelyn Tano representing Mayor Roquito Tacsagon, Iloilo Police Provincial Office Deputy Provincial Director for Administration Police Lt. Col. Romar Peregil, and Department of Social Welfare and Development 6 team led by Belinda Ho.

“We are happy that finally, you made the right decision-- to surrender and return to the folds of the law after years of joining the senseless and bloody armed struggle. Rest assured that your government, especially your Army in Panay, is more than willing to help you as you begin another chapter of your life with your family,” Vinoya added. (PIA6/DPAO-3ID/Philippine Army)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1076296