Kalinaw News: CNT members and supporters pledge allegiance to government in Flora, Apayao

Posted to Kalinaw News (Nov 16, 2021): CNT members and supporters pledge allegiance to government in Flora, Apayao



CAMP MELCHOR F DELA CRUZ, Upi, Gamu, Isabela- 24 members of Milisya ng Bayan, two regular Communist NPA Terrorist and one member of Sangay ng Partido sa Lokalidad (SPL) took oath of allegiance to the government on November 16, 2021 in Barangay Bagutong, Flora, Apayao.

As a sign of sincerity in returning to the folds of the law, the former rebels burned the flag of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

Alias Kira, one of the former rebels revealed her reason in abandoning the terrorist group. She shared in her testimony that sexual harrassment is rampant inside the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG), “wag nilang itatanggi na walang harrasment sa loob ng kilusan sa mga kababaihan. Ako mismo ang naging biktima ng pagtangkaan akong hubaran ng komander ko. Kaya nag aalala ako sa mga kababaihang NPA na kumikilos pa rin sa loob ng kilusan.”

“Nagbalik-loob ako sa pamahalaan dahil gusto ko nang magbagong buhay. Ayoko nang magpagamit sa teroristang NPA sa kanilang pananakot at pangingikil. Namulat na ako at hindi na ako magpapalinlang pa sa kanila,” alias Kira added. She then urged the youth to honor their parents and avoid to be deceived by the terrorist NPAs.

The two former regular CNTs surrendered one Cal. 45 pistols with a magazine and ammunition, one anti-personnel mine, and subversive documents with high-intelligence values.

Moreover, Mayor Rodolfo Juan Sr. of Flora town pledged his support to the government forces in advocating peace and inclusive development in their community. “We support the Philippine Army and the PNP in the fight against insurgency. We are one in advocating peace and development. Together, we will attain insurgency-free community.”

LtCol Angelo C Saguiguit, Commander of 17th Infantry Battalion thanked the former rebels in answering the call of the government to embrace a peaceful way of life. “Nandito kaming mga sundalo para tumulong sa ating mga kababayang nalinlang ng teroristang NPA. Sa inyong pagsuko, kami’y nagagalak dahil alam namin na malaki ang pwede ninyong mai-ambag sa ating pagkamit ng katahimikan sa inyong komunidad.”

“Tuluy-tuloy ang inyong kasundaluhan sa pagsasagawa ng Operasyong Militar upang tiyakin ang kapayapaan sa inyong lugar. Our objective is to dismantle all the Front Committees of the CTGs in Cagayan and Apayao provinces,” BGen Steve D Crespillo, Brigade Commander of 501st Infantry Brigade said in his message.

Further, MGen Laurence E Mina, Commander of 5th Infantry Division, Philippine Army commended the 17IB Startroopers for facilitating the surrender of CNT members and supporters. “I am greatly elated with the display of commitment of our troops to end insurgency in their area of operations. The successive surrender and withdrawal of support of the people from the CNTs will result to their certain downfall.”

[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]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/cnt-members-and-supporters-pledge-allegiance-to-government-in-flora-apayao/