Army lauds Leyte village execs for surrender of 25 rebels

From the Philippine News Agency (May 26, 2021): Army lauds Leyte village execs for surrender of 25 rebels (By Sarwell Meniano)

ABANDONING THE COMMUNIST MOVEMENT. The 25 former rebels and staunch supporters pledge their support to the government in a ceremony held on May 25, 2021 in San Antonio village in Hilongos, Leyte. The Philippine Army lauded village officials in the upland community for facilitating the surrender of the rebels. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Army 802nd Infantry Brigade)

The Philippine Army has lauded village officials in an upland community in Hilongos, Leyte following the recent surrender of six former spies of the New People’s Army (NPA) and 19 of their staunch supporters.

Brig. Gen. Zosimo A Oliveros, commander of the Philippine Army’s 802nd Infantry Brigade, praised village chief Francisco Piredo and 10 fellow community officials of San Antonio forming the barangay task force on ending local communist armed conflict.

“San Antonio village in Hilongos serves as an example to all village task forces in Biliran, Leyte, and Southern Leyte provinces. This is proof that with the cooperation of the local task forces, residents, police, and military, we will achieve real peace and development. I encourage other local task forces to lead the development of peace programs in their communities so that we can achieve real development," Oliveros said in a statement on Wednesday.

The army identified five of the six NPA members as Jerry, Paquiao, Paulino, Mando, and Tayo.

According to the surrenderers, they were forced to affiliate with the NPA out of fear.

Under the command of armed rebels, the six served as spies in their villages. Some of them became members of the San Antonio Farmers' Movement formed by the NPA.

The village was identified as one of the infiltrated areas of the terror group in Leyte with locals forced to provide support to its armed struggle, however, "despite their support, the communist terrorist group has committed atrocities in the village,” Oliveros added.

On Aug. 15, 2019, four armed rebels fatally shot then-village chief Vergilio Loquias while fishing in a creek.

In the 1980s, at least 36 villagers in San Isidro were killed by the NPAs in the so-called “Oplan Venereal Disease.” It has killed about 300 Leyte residents suspected as military informants.

“The surrender of six former rebels and 19 die-hard allies is proof that the task force is an instrument to achieve true peace and development in our area. I am calling on all people in our village not to let NPA enter our community again for them not to destroy the peace we are enjoying right now,” said village chief Francisco Piredo. The official relayed his statement to the Philippine Army.

Currently, the local government of Hilongos is studying the recommendations of the barangay task force on the benefits and services to be provided to rebel returnees for them to start a new life with their families.

San Antonio can be reached through a two-hour motorcycle ride from the town center and 30 minutes hike to the village situated near the boundary of Bontoc town in Southern Leyte province.

The Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1141523