91 supporters of Reds’ front group pledge allegiance to govt

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 16, 2022): 91 supporters of Reds’ front group pledge allegiance to govt (By Che Palicte)

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. A total of 91 former supporters of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) in Compostela, Davao de Oro officially declare their withdrawal of support to the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA in a simple ceremony in the said town on Tuesday (Feb. 15, 2022). Apart from signing the oath of allegiance to the government, the group also burned the replica of the NPA flag that signifies their abandonment of the dismantled communist organization in the province. (Photo courtesy of Davao de Oro PIO)

A total of 91 supporters of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) in Compostela, Davao de Oro have officially declared their withdrawal of support to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-NPA-National Democratic Forint (NDF) organization, authorities said Wednesday.

In a statement, Brig. Gen. Neil Alinsangan, director of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Intelligence Group, expressed his appreciation for the joint effort of all government agencies and security forces for the attainment of peace and development in the province of Davao de Oro.

The ceremony for the group’s withdrawal of support to the NPA was held at the police provincial office covered court in the town on Tuesday.

Apart from signing the oath of allegiance to the government, the group also burned the replica of the NPA flag which signifies their abandonment of the dismantled communist organization in the province.

“This is a clear manifestation that the Whole of Nation Approach or [Executive Order] 70 was implemented. The PNP through its RPSB (Revitalized Pulis sa Barangay) in coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), local government units, and other civic clusters successfully facilitated the group’s withdrawal [to the NPA] with their formal reintegration into the community,” Alinsangan said.

Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Filmore Escobal, director of the Police Regional Office - Davao Region (PRO-11), emphasized the importance of preventive measures so communities will not be deceived by the false advocacies of the communist group.

“We plan to organize the group into people’s organization and local government units will come in for appropriate intervention programs,” he added.

In response, Vicente “Boy” Barrios, one of the surrenderers, said he realized that they have been used by the NPA organization that exploited various social issues to agitate them in dissenting from the government.

“They used and deceived us. This time we will no longer believe in their lies, and we condemn their wrongdoings. We want to live in peace,” he said.

The provincial government has provided the surrenderers with relief supplies, food packs, and financial assistance worth PHP3, 000 each.

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

The National Democratic Front has been formally designated as a terrorist organization by the Anti-Terrorism Council on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and inseparable part” of the CPP-NPA created in April 1973.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1167878