Non-combatant CPP-NPA members surrender in Antique

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 13, 2023): Non-combatant CPP-NPA members surrender in Antique (By Annabel Consuelo Petinglay)

SURRENDER. Members of the Sangay Partido Local (SLP) of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) pledge to adhere with their signed manifesto withdrawing support to the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army at the Antique Provincial Police Office (APPO) headquarters in the capital town of San Jose de Buenavista, Antique province on Wednesday (April 12, 2023). Major Adolfo Pagharion, APPO information officer, said in an interview Thursday (April 13) the surrenderers belong to the Sangay Partido Local of the CPP-NPA. (PNA photo courtesy of Antique PIO)

SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique – Ten members of the Sangay Partido Local (SLP) of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) from the municipality of Hamtic have surrendered to the Antique Provincial Police Office (APPO).

APPO Information Officer Major Adolfo Pagharion said the group consisting of five councilors, two village watchmen, and three farmers from Barangay Cantulan signed their individual manifesto withdrawing their support to the CPP-NPA on April 12, three days after they surrendered to the local police.

The manifesto signing was witnessed by APPO director Col. Alexander Mariano.

“The surrenderees belong to the ‘shadow government’ of the CPP-NPA and are tasked to inform whenever there is a military operation, gather the residents during their meetings, provide food and collect the revolutionary tax,” Pagharion said.

Pagharion said Barangay Cantulan was infiltrated by the CPP-NPA in 2018.

“The Antique provincial government, during their surrender and withdrawal of support, initially provided them with a sack of rice and hygiene kits,” Pagharion said.

The surrenderers are also expected to avail of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Under the program, DILG Antique ECLIP officer in-charge Lorabelle Joyce Fabila said a surrenderee could receive at least PHP86,000 as immediate reintegration assistance.

“There is, however, no livelihood assistance being given to supporters, but that they could get remuneration for their surrendered firearms,” she said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1199365