Kalinaw News: 100 former NPAs and mass supporters withdraw support from the CTG in Leyte

From Kalinaw News (Apr 25, 2023): 100 former NPAs and mass supporters withdraw support from the CTG in Leyte

100 Former NPAs and Mass Supporters Withdraws Support from the CTG in Leyte

Camp Jorge Downes, Ormoc City, Leyte – 100 former New Peoples’ Army (NPA) who were on lielow status and CTG Mass Supporters formally declared their withdrawal of support from the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) by making an Oath of Allegiance to the Philippine Government during the Founding Assembly of Ormoc Integrated Peace and Development Workers Federation (OIPDWF) Ceremony today, April 24, 2023 at Superdome, Ormoc City. Said personalities came from Brgys of Liberty and Gaas both of Ormoc City. Of these 100 personalities, 9 are former NPA full time members; 13 are CPP party members; 21 are former members of the Yunit Militia (YM) or the Milisyang Bayan; 53 are members of the Underground Mass Organizations (UGMO); and 4 are mass supporters.

Their withdrawal of support from the CTG and strong condemnation of the 50 years of lies and deceptions of the National Democratic Front (NDF) is a sincere manifestation of their commitment to be part of the whole of the nation approach to end the local communist armed conflict.

The former CPP-NPA-NDF members and supporters conducted Peace and indignation rally to express their sentiments and their condemnation of the CTG as they commemorate the NDFs 50th founding anniversary. During the indignation rally, the members of OIPDWF showed their banners expressing their desire to end terrorism, their call for the attainment of peace and they also burned the CPP and NPA NDF flags.

As partners of the government in attaining the objective of ending the local communist armed conflict, the former mass supporters organized themselves into a Bgy-level Integrated Peace and Development Workers Associations (IPDWAs) and City-level Federation. These associations will be registered to DOLE while the Federation will also be registered to SEC in order for them to be duly accredited by their respective LGUs as part of the People’s Organizations.

The activity was in line with the endeavors of the Peace and Law Enforcement and Development Security (PLEDS) Cluster of Ormoc City Task Force-ELCAC which intends to account and organize Former Rebels (FRs), Yunit Militia (YM) members, UGMO members and CTG Mass Supporters to secure their communities, prevent the CTG recovery and expansion activities and facilitate the delivery of basic services of LGU-Ormoc City. This is in furtherance of sustaining the peace and security of Ormoc City. The activity was a concerted effort between the 802nd Infantry Brigade; 93rd Infantry Battalion; 82nd CMO Company; Ormoc City Police Office (OCPO); Area Cadre Team, 3rd Civil Relation Group, CRSAFP; and SAMBAYANAN-EV.

The activity was graced by Hon. Esteban LAURENTE, ABC President, representing Cong. Richard I.Gomez and City Mayor Lucy Torres Gomez. PCOL NELVIN RICOHERMOSO, City Director, Ormoc City Police Office delivered the welcome remarks; Hon. Esteban LAURENTE, ABC President, administered the Induction of Officers; the declaration of withdrawal of support from CTG and the Oath of Allegiance to the Government of the Republic of the Philippines; Hon. Michelle A Gutierrez, Chair BTF-ELCAC, Brgy Liberty; Hon. Joel Capuyan, Chair BTF-ELCAC, Brgy Gaas; Mr Arthur Tariman, Regional Coordinator, SAMBAYANAN EV; Mr Zaldy N Centino, Integrated Cadre Team, EV; The Ormoc Integrated Peace Development Workers Federation represented by Mr Comrado Labartene, President, received Certificates of Recognition for their assistance in the surfacing and rescue of the deceived lielow CTG elements; Mr. Arthur Tariman lead the mass recitation of “PANATANG MAKABAYAN”.

Likewise, Dir. Rolando V. Bade, PD, TESDA-Leyte; DRD Joseph Gideon Garcio representing Dir. Tacy B Bacabac NICA8; Ms Josephine B Hermosilla, Manager, PESO; Ms Ma. Elena Mendoza, CAD; Ms Rosilyn Sanchez, Head, ENRO; Ms Maribel V Gucela, Head, CSWD; Dr Sarah Hermoso, MD, CHO; Mr Allan Nobria, Center Administrator, TESDC; Pastor Alfred Tinio of UCCP; and LTC CHARLIE L SACLOT who represents the Commander, 802nd Inafnrty Brigade delivered a message of support and commitment. The CSWDO-Ormoc City distributes 160 food packs to participants, and local CADRE and former rebel facilitators.

”I expressed my deep appreciation on the courage shown by the former rebels and mass supporters in openly condemning the NDF’s 50-years of terrorism that caused prolonged sufferings and destruction of life and properties of our people. By their withdrawal of support from the CTGs, they contributed to the realization of every Filipinos dream to have a peace-loving, government-supportive and CTG-inhospitable communities thru freedom from the bondage of deception posed by CPP-NPA-NDF” BGEN VESTUIR said.

“This activity today conformed to our calling and appeal to the Communist NPA Terrorists (NPAs) to surrender because the people are no longer supporting them. Their former comrades and mass base already organized themselves to seek the assistance of the Government to protect their communities and uplift their living conditions. You better avail the benefits of the Government’s Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), and live a peaceful and decent lives with your families and loved ones.” BGEN VESTUIR ended.

[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.]

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