15 members of left-leaning groups in N. Ecija sever ties with NPA

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 16, 2023): 15 members of left-leaning groups in N. Ecija sever ties with NPA (By Zorayda Tecson)

SEVERED TIES. Fifteen supporters of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army in Llanera, Nueva Ecija renounce the rebel group in Barangay Mabini on Friday (June 16, 2023). They were members of the Liga ng Manggagawang Bukid and Alyansang Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luzon under the Kilusan ng Magbubukid ng Pilipinas. (Photo courtesy of 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company-Nueva Ecija)

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – Fifteen members of left-leaning organizations in Nueva Ecija on Friday have turned their backs on the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) and decided to support the continuing peace and development efforts of the government.

Col. Richard V. Caballero, director of the Nueva Ecija Police, said the 15 were members of the Liga ng Manggagawang Bukid and Alyansang Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luzon under the Kilusan ng Magbubukid ng Pilipinas.

Caballero said they took their oath of allegiance to the government following a peace rally in Barangay Mabini, Llanera town.

He said joint police and military forces facilitated the special intelligence operation that resulted in the withdrawal of support from the CPP-NPA.

He said the government's relentless anti-insurgency campaign had resulted in the voluntary withdrawal of support from the rebel group.

Caballero added it was also a product of continuous joint efforts of the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.

"It is but a reality that the CPP-NPA has been substantially weakened as countless rebels have returned to the government’s side, realizing that insurgency has nowhere to go," he said in a statement.

Caballero encouraged those who are still active supporters or members of the communist group to lay down their arms, return to the government side and reunite with their families.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1203673