Collapse of NPA in Caraga due to surrenders: PNP

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 20, 2021): Collapse of NPA in Caraga due to surrenders: PNP (By Alexander Lopez)

As more members of the communist terrorist New People’s Army (NPA) in Caraga return to the fold of the law, the rebel stronghold in the region begins to collapse, a ranking police official said Friday.

“The NPA in Caraga is now collapsing and are looming their total destruction, as more of their members realize the deceptions and manipulative schemes of their leaders who recruited them and used them to further their personal agenda,” said Brig. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr., the director of Police Regional Office in Caraga (PRO-13).

Records from the police regional office showed that from January until July this year, a total of 624 NPA fighters and supporters have surrendered to the different units and police stations in the region.

In the same period, 201 NPA insurgents and supporters also surrendered to PRO-13.

A total of 243 high-powered firearms were also seized and surrendered during the period.

Last Wednesday, members of the Milisya ng Bayan under the Guerrilla Front 4A of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee, with aliases Jay-ar, 23; Bodoy, 31; and Richard, 33, in Agusan del Norte, surrendered to authorities.

“The surrender of the three former rebels is due to the relentless anti-insurgency drive of the government with the goal of achieving peaceful and more prosperous communities in the region,” Caramat said.

He said the three wanted to end their violent lives and go back to their families and communities.

“The lies, hardship, and hunger inflicted on these former rebels were the reasons they shunned the NPA movement,” he said.

He urged the remaining insurgents in the region to abandon their false beliefs and doctrines and to return to the fold of the law.

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, and New Zealand.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1151067