Kalinaw News: Rebel surrenders continue to surge in North and Central Luzon

Posted to Kalinaw News (Sep 5, 2021): Rebel surrenders continue to surge in North and Central Luzon



Camp Aquino, Tarlac City – Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) on Sunday, September 5 revealed that the end is in sight for the communist terrorist in Northern and Central Luzon as the influx of rebel surrenders continue to surge.

NOLCOM disclosed that for the first 5 days of September alone, seven NPA rebels and supporters had already returned to the folds of the law and yielded eight firearms. This is apart from the 595 former rebels who surrendered from 01 January to 31 August of the current year and yielded a total of 235 firearms.

The most recent of which was the surrender of two communist terrorists who are members of Kilusang Larangang Gerilya (KLG) “AMPIS” at Barangay Amtuagan and Barangay Tubtuba both of Tubo, Abra on September 4. The rebel surrenders yielded; three M1 Garand Rifles, one Carbine Rifle, one Springfield Rifle, two magazines, and assorted live ammunition to the government troops.

Meanwhile, on September 3, two NPA supporters also surrendered at Barangay Disulap, San Mariano, Isabela. They yielded two M16 Rifles to the government troops as they denounced their support from the terrorist group.

Apart from its sustained internal security operations and community support program, NOLCOM recognized the growing support of the community to the government’s fight against the communist terrorists as a contributing factor in the continuous influx of rebel surrenders, especially with the implementation of several community development projects under the Barangay Development Program (BDP) of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF ELCAC).

It can be recalled that on March 24, a groundbreaking ceremony was held at Barangay Babalag East, Rizal, Kalinga for the construction of Water Work System, Health Station, and Concreting of Farm to Market Road. These projects are under the BDP of NTF ELCAC which are aimed to address the issues of the community that are being exploited by the NPA to agitate the people and entice them to go against the government.

Likewise, on July 16 another groundbreaking ceremony for the implementation of another set of BDP projects was also conducted at Barangay Baluarte, Salcedo, and Barangay Nagbettedan, Santo Domingo both in the Province of Ilocos Sur. The projects to be implemented to the aforementioned barangays include; Farm to Market Road, Public Toilet, School Buildings, and Barangay Health Center.

Lieutenant General Arnulfo Marcelo B Burgos Jr, the Commander of Northern Luzon Command expressed that “The end of NPA’s reign of terror in Northern and Central Luzon is in sight. It’s only a matter of time that the NPA’s will be totally eradicated in this part of the country.”

He added that “The growing support of the community to the government’s fight against the communist terrorist is a big factor that significantly contributed to our effort in ending the local communist armed conflict in Northern and Central Luzon. They helped us send our message of hope while encouraging their families, friends, and loved ones who have been deceived by the terrorist group to lay down their arms and abandon their armed struggle.”

Lieutenant General Burgos ended by renewing his call to the remnants of the communist terrorists and their supporters, “The government has heard your pleas and has implemented several programs to address your concerns. Now is the time for you to heed the call of the government. Lay down your arms and abandon your armed struggle. Think of your families, think of their future. Christmas is fast approaching, they will be happier and more fulfilled this season of joy with you at their side.”

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