54 NPA rebels, supporters in Bicol pledge allegiance to gov't

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 11, 2023): 54 NPA rebels, supporters in Bicol pledge allegiance to gov't (By Connie Calipay)

LOYALTY PROMISE. At least 54 members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) and their supporters in the provinces of Albay and Sorsogon pledged allegiance to the national government during a ceremony at the 903rd Infantry Brigade headquarters in Castilla town, Sorsogon province on Wednesday (Oct. 11, 2023). The rebel returnees also turned over 28 assorted firearms. (PNA photo by Connie Calipay)

CASTILLA, Sorsogon – A total of 54 members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) and their supporters in the provinces of Albay and Sorsogon who had surrendered to the authorities pledged allegiance to the national government on Wednesday.

In an interview, 1Lt. Richelle Arambuyong, Civil Military Operations (CMO) officer of the 903rd Infantry Brigade (903 IBde), said the surrender and withdrawal of support were facilitated by the brigade from July to September this year.

"The surrenderers are from Sorsogon province – 32 and Albay province – 22. They are composed of armed groups and white areas or those members of underground movements under the different sectoral front organizations of the CPP-NPA," Arambuyong said after the presentation of the surrenderers in a ceremony at the 903 IBde headquarters in Barangay San Rafael, Castilla town in Sorsogon.

She said the rebel returnees turned over 28 assorted firearms.

"They will also receive firearms remuneration for each type depending on the value and other cash assistance under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP)," Arambuyong said.

One of the surrenderers, 29-year-old Ka Gohan, who had been a member of the NPA for 10 years, said disappointment over the group's leadership made him decide to return to the fold of the law.

"Kaming mga mandirigma, nakikita namin yung tama at mali, kaya doon nag decide na ako bumalik sa gobyerno. Para malinis na namin ang aming pangalan, magkaroon ng panibagong buhay dahil mga bata pa kami (We combatants, we see what is right and wrong, that's why I decided to return to the government. So that we can clear our names and have a new life since we are still young)," he said.

Ka Gohan said he now felt free and fearless since he did not need to hide from government soldiers anymore.

"Much more than I am comfortable now, and my family is happy. I still need to secure my safety," he said in the vernacular.

He also said he wants to work in the local government unit to repay its goodness in welcoming him.

Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Aldwine Almase, 903 IBde commander, commended the 54 surrenderers for their eagerness and courage in returning to the fold of the law and encouraged the remaining NPA members to give up the armed struggle.

"Ang inyong pong kasundalohan ay handang maging kaagapay ninyo sa inyong muling pagyakap sa kapayapaan. Hinihikayat namin ang mga naiiwan pa nating mga kababayan na naligaw ng landas, nalinlang ng mga CPP-NPA na kami po ay handa kayong tanggapin ano man oras, saan mang lugar. Kami po ay naniniwala na ang kapayapaan ay makakamit natin sa mapayapa rin na pamamaraan (Your Army is ready to support you as you re-embrace peace. We encourage those who are still left behind, our compatriots who have lost their way, deceived by the CPP-NPA, that we are ready to receive you at any time, wherever. We believe that we can achieve peace also through peaceful means)," Almase said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1211626