Saturday, October 7, 2023

Visayas Command’s ultimatum to NPA: ‘Choose peace, imprisonment, or peril’

From Panay News (Oct 6, 2023): Visayas Command’s ultimatum to NPA: ‘Choose peace, imprisonment, or peril’ (By Ruby P. Silubrico)

AREVALO. AFP VISAYAS COMMAND PHOTO

ILOILO City – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has presented the New People’s Army (NPA) in Western Visayas with three choices determining their fate.

Lieutenant General Benedict Arevalo, commander of the Visayas Command, said if the rebels persist with their armed struggle, their story would conclude in one of three ways:

* reintegrated safety and peacefully to society thru government assistance after surrender

* captured and imprisoned

* perish in a military operation

“You cannot evade the law forever. When the law catches up, you may end up in the cemetery, just like what happened to the three rebels recently killed in an encounter in Leon, Iloilo,” Arevalo said during a visit to the 301st Infantry Brigade in Camp Hernandez, Dingle, Iloilo.


Arevalo clarified that no specific deadline would be imposed on the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) to resolve the insurgency in the Visayas, as long as they persist with their offensive operations.

Currently, additional troops have been deployed to chase down armed groups resisting surrender.

“It would be best if they come forward, surrender, and avail themselves of the benefits the government offers to them and their families,” said Arevalo.

On a related note, the 3ID commander, Major General Marion Sison, reiterated his plea for the remaining members of the NPA in the region to abide by the law, especially following the surrender of 12 members in Northern Negros on Sept. 29.

“I hope all of you see the uncertain future for both you and your families within the terrorist movement and that this realization pushes you to abandon the rebel group. Your comrades who have surrendered have understood that opposing our government is futile. As we’ve always said, you essentially have two choices: surrender or perish fighting a doomed battle,” said Sison.

The 12 individuals who surrendered included the Front Secretary (name withheld for security reasons) of the now-dismantled Northern Negros Front (NNF).

They also handed over 12 various firearms to the government.


In return, these individuals received numerous provisions and support, including grocery packs, rice sacks, food packs, and seeds from various government and local entities.

“This is an opportunity for you all to surrender. The government is always eager to assist and guide you onto the correct path. Instead of facing adversity, let’s unify and work towards the peace we all desire. We must persuade our fellow countrymen still engaged in armed conflict that the government cares for them, and a brighter future awaits if they choose peace,” said Sison.

https://www.panaynews.net/visayas-commands-ultimatum-to-npa-choose-peace-imprisonment-or-peril/

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