Kalinaw News: High-ranking Ex-NPA leaders, 10ID hold virtual press conference

Posted to Kalinaw News (Sep 7, 2021): High-ranking Ex-NPA leaders, 10ID hold virtual press conference



MAWAB, DAVAO DE ORO – Twelve (12) former high-ranking leaders of the CPP-NPA-NDF under Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC) held a press conference at Balunto Hall, Camp General Manuel T Yan Sr., Tuboran, Mawab, Davao De Oro simultaneous with the Agila Division’s 15th Founding Anniversary on Tuesday, September 7, 2021.

Present during the said press conference were:

1. Joy James A. Saguino @Che/Amihan, Deputy secretary of SRC1, Secretary of SRC1 Peasant Bureau
2. Christian B. Pastor @Khan, Commanding Officer of Weakened Guerrilla Front 33, SRC 4, SMRC;
3. Eddie S. Genelsa @Lando/Pahak/Brad/Jimbo, Vice Commanding Officer of Regional Operations Committee, SMRC, and NDF consultant
4. Paulette M. Santos-Castillo @Ella/Yellla/Ba-i/DonnaRegional coordinator of Rural Missionaries of the Philippines, Regional Peasant Secretariat, SMRC
5. Daniel Louis S. Castillo @Steven, 2nd political instructor of Guerrilla Front 55, SRC 5, SMRC
6. Pedro B. Arnado @Benoy, Regional chairperson of Kilusang Magbubukig ng PilipinasKMP) – Southern Mindanao Region, national treasurer of KMP and member of Kalumaran-Mindanao
7. Kurt Russel O. Sosa @Ugnay, Secretary of WGF 3 and Deputy Secretary 1 of SRC1, SMRC
8. Roberto O. Rosete, Jr. @Alex Bobby/BarleyFormer commanding officer of NPA Pulang Bagani, SMRC
9. Ivan Conan S. Cael @Mackoy/Raprap/GregFormer, secretary of SRC3, SMRC
10. Noel M. Legazpi @Jeffrey, Former 1st deputy secretary of NPA Far South Mindanao Region
11. Arian Jane O. Ramos @Marikit, Former secretary of NPA Guerrilla Front 55, Southern Regional Committee (SRC), SMRC
12. Rurelyn Bay-ao @Mandacawan, Leader of IP Youth Bakwit

Discussed during the press conference are reasons of their surrender, current standing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) – New People’s Army (NPA) – and the National Democratic Front (NDF), the connection of NPA to its legal fronts, exploitation of NPA towards the Indigenous People’s Bakwit in HARAN, resources generation of HARAN, and the effects of Executive Order 70 on the operations of CTG.

Ka Amihan, in his speech said that their move to go back to folds of law is not the end of their fight for social justice and equality.

“We are not red-taggers. This is not red-tagging, we are only stating facts and the truth as we have the firsthand experience with the CPP-NPA-NDF. Ang pagbabalik namin sa gobyerno is not the end of our fight for social justice, equality, for a better society. In this point we can say tinalikuran namin ang armed struggle since it causes a lot of casualties. We are giving our commitment to serve the public,” Ka Amihan added.

Also, Ka Noel Legazpi said that intensity from local and national politicians must be sustained in harmony with peace and development plans of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Meanwhile, Ka Ella in her speech said that the root cause of insurgency is poverty and must be addressed based from the blueprint of EO70.

“There is a chain that binds them in poverty, how do we do that? Ang root cause ng insurgency is poverty. Ano ang problema sa ground? How do we do that, we address the primary economic needs ng farmers and we base that from the EO70. Presyo ng produkto, tangalin natin ang buyer para mas malaki kita nila, I hope AFP could do that.”

Furthermore, Alias Marikit in her speech said that their armed struggle campaign inside the Communist Terrorist Group failed due to the lack of collaborative efforts inside the party.

“It’s about mental health kahit gaano pa kalawak ang pananaw mo sa armed conflict at tsaka grabe yung paniniwala namin sa cause ng revolution pero pag wala po yung collective efforts sa loob ng party, tao lang din kami nawawala ang thrust namin sa struggle, at the end of the day po hindi po nagiging successful ang campaign natin,” Marikit said.

“Nag resort nalang its time to take care of myself and of course magbigay ng panahon sa pamilya. Hindi ibig sabihin sa pag-alis sa rebolusyon ay hindi ipagpapatuloy ang paglaban sa rights at mga idolohiya… Kung ano po ang nasimulan ng AFP at PNP sana habambuhay..” Marikit added.

Eastern Mindanao Command Commander Lieutenant General Greg T Almerol who is also present during the event said that his command will finish and neutralize the remaining members of threat groups before the end of the term of President Rodrigo Duterte.

“We are confident that the LGU and government agencies will sustainably address the issues being exploited by the CTGs. I believe that the only way we can end local communist armed conflict is through our collective efforts and performing our mandates religiously,” Lieutenant General Almerol added.

10th Infantry “Agila” Division Commander Major General Ernesto C Torres Jr on the other hand remains confident with the uptrend and with the current campaign of 10ID and with the indication that the top leaders who used to lead the formation and units of NPA are now with the government.

“We need to tell the stories of our friends-rescued to prevent recruitment, because it is happening now. With our combat operation which is our core competency with our community support program, it’s just a matter of time,” Major General Torres said.

Major General Torres also presented significant numbers recorded in the area of 10ID wherein operating guerilla fronts are now down to 6 from 2016’s 17 fronts, 193 affected barangays in 2016 down to 12, and 1,150 firearms in 2016 is now just 300; and for manpower 900 in 2016 to 270 now.

Moreover, the group also conducted its first historical plenum inside a military camp last August 23, 2021 as bearers of peace and development.

The 10th Infantry Division remains committed to continue to deliver peace and development efforts in its area of responsibility to sustain the gains from the 15 years of “Agila Division’s” excellence leading the way to achieve insurgency-free communities.

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

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