Kalinaw News: 12 former supporters reject terrorist group in Aurora

From Kalinaw News (Dec 29, 2022): 12 former supporters reject terrorist group in Aurora (By 7ID)

BALER, Aurora- Twelve people claiming to be former supporters of the communist terrorist groups (CTGs) of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) rejected the organization on Tuesday, December 27, 2022 held at the Laang-Sibol Hall, Philippine Army’s 91st Infantry “Sinagtala” Battalion headquarters in Barangay Calabuanan in this capital town of Aurora.

Lt. Col. Julito B. Recto, Jr., commander of 91st IB said that the 12 individuals were former recruits of Ka Eric Samolde, a former President of Nagkakaisang Samahang Maralita sa Dicaluyongan (NAGSAMAD) affiliated with Advocates of Human Rights in Aurora Province (AHRAP), a sectoral front organization of the CTGs.

The group went to battalion with Ka Eric and took their oath of allegiance to the government and manifested their withdrawal of support from the terrorist organization.

Recto together with civil-military operations officer Captain Candidato S. Paduman personally administered the oath to the 12 individuals who expressed their allegiance to the Philippine government.

“We facilitated their surrender and withdrawal of allegiance from the terrorist organization. This was the product of our campaign to convince communist insurgents to give up armed conflict and return to mainstream society,” Recto said.

Recto also expressed his appreciation to Ka Eric and other security forces for actively performing their role in preserving the peace and order in the province of Aurora.

“Your surrender is very timely as new year is coming and a new life for you to be free from the influence of the terrorist organization. 54 years na silang nangangako na malabanan ang kahirapan pero walang nagbago, bagkus marami ang nagbuwis ang buhay at nasira ang kinabukasan ng mga napapaniwala nila ng pagbabagong buhay. Marami pa ang mga napinsalang pangkabuhayan sa ating ekonomiya dahil sa mga panlilinlang ng CPP-NPA-NDF sa mahabang panahon,” Recto said.

The top military official in this province also calls to help the 91st IB in bringing peace in the community.

“We ask you to help the government by compelling your comrades who are still active in the armed struggle in the mountains and informing them of the government’s E-CLIP program. Huwag na nating payagan na makabalik pa ang CPP-NPA-NDF sa Aurora. Kokonti na lang sila, hindi na makaporma. Dati sila ang nagsasagawa ng rally pero sa ngayon mga mamamayang namulat sa katotohanan na ang nagsasagawa ng rally na dapat tigilan na ang mga panlilinlang ng mga ito,” Recto said.

Ka Jimuel, one of the former supporters said that the group wants a peaceful life with their families and friends.

“We give up and swear allegiance to the government for peace. We are now one in pursuing a safe and progressive community for our children and families. Together, we can end insurgency. Let us support the government’s campaign for peace,” Ka Jimuel said.

Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace by the Philippine Army. It provides information on the activities of Army Units nationwide in the performance of their duty of Serving the People and Securing the Land. e-mail: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com

https://www.kalinawnews.com/12-former-supporters-reject-terrorist-group-in-aurora/