CPP-NPA loses 24 more supporters in Baler

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 13, 2022): CPP-NPA loses 24 more supporters in Baler (By Jason De Asis)

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. Twenty-four former supporters of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army take their oath of allegiance and formally withdrew their support from communist organizations in a ceremony held in Barangay Zabali, Baler, Aurora on Saturday (March 12, 2022). They used to belong to the Nagkakaisang Samahan ng Maralita ng Dicaloyungan. (Photo courtesy of Army 91IB)

BALER, Aurora – Twenty-four supporters of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Forint (CPP-NPA-NDF) here have turned their backs on the communist terrorist groups (CTGs).

Led by its president, Enriquito Samulde, the former members of Nagkakaisang Samahan ng Maralita ng Dicaloyungan (Nagsamad), an affiliated organization of the Advocate of Human Rights Aurora Province, took their oath of allegiance to the government and declared their withdrawal of support from the CTGs in a ceremony held at Sitio Dicaloyungan in Barangay Zabali here on Saturday.

“They (CPP-NPA) used and deceived us. They used us to attend rallies in Metro Manila. This time, we will no longer believe in their deceptions and bunches of lies, and we condemn their wrongdoings. We want to live in peace,” Samulde said during the event.

Lt. Col. Reandrew Rubio, commander of the Philippine Army’s 91st Infantry “Sinagtala” Battalion (91IB), said the implementation of the whole-of-nation approach by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict has been effective in dealing with CTGs.

Major Dennis Balbuena, officer-in-charge of Baler Police Station, advised the group to consult first with authorities so as not to be deceived again, especially on land issues.

Balbuena said the Philippine Army and Philippine National Police are planning to organize the group, which the local government units will assist with appropriate intervention programs.

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/1169649