50 ex-rebels in Aurora condemn 'atrocities'

 From the Sun Star-Pampanga (Apr 1, 2022): 50 ex-rebels in Aurora condemn 'atrocities'

ABOUT 50 former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Aurora condemned the group’s atrocities through an activity at Barangay Ditumabo in San Luis town.

Army 7th Infantry Division Commander Major General Andrew Costelo emphasized the successful implementation of the national government’s Executive Order No. 70, noting that there is no reason for the NPA to celebrate its 53rd anniversary.

“For more than five decades the communist NPA did nothing good to the Filipino people but atrocities that resulted in the slow development in the countryside. With the EO 70, the NPA has suffered irreversible defeat and massive loss of manpower and resources, so why celebrate a dead ideology that is now abandoned by most of its members?” Costelo said.

Speaking on behalf of the former rebels, Ka Ariel stressed that the attendees are now civilian former rebels seeking for peace and development.

The group condemned the acts of terrorism of Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and NPA including of human rights violation, killing of their relatives, recruitment of minors, robbery, extortion, destruction of civilian-owned properties, and undermining of the government.

Also, Masaganang Perlas ng Silangan ng Aurora Province Inc member Juliet Capistrano warned the public of their deceptive strategy and revealed that CPP-NPA uses manipulation and exploitation.

“We have a problem on land and that issue was used by the CPP-NPA only to find out that there is a government who can give solutions to our problem,” Capistrano said.

Other groups who supported the activity were Solo Parents of Diteki and Kabataan Kontra Droga at Terorismo.

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1925335/pampanga/local-news/50-ex-rebels-in-aurora-condemn-atrocities