Five members of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered to operatives of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Western Command (Wescom) in Palawan on Thursday which marks the rebel group’s 49th founding anniversary.
On Friday, Wescom spokesperson Cherryl Tindog said the “terrorist” surrenderers were taken to the military’s custody for validation and documentation.
They are set to receive financial assistance and livelihood opportunities as their application for the Local Social Integration Program of the Provincial Government of Palawan and the Department of the Interior and Local Government's Comprehensive Local Social Integration Program is being processed.
Wescom commander Lieutenant General Rozzano Briguez said their surrender was a “serious blow" to the ranks of communist terrorism in the province, as well as an indication of the armed group's “unwilllingess” to continue with the armed struggle.
“According to them, their rank is tainted with corruption of their leaders, fatigue and disappointment due to unfulfilled promises,” the official said.
"We continue to urge the remaining members of communist terrorist NPA to choose the path of peace. We call on them to put their arms down, surrender and rejoin the society,” he added.
NPA members were likewise urged to avail of the government’s integration program to “start their lives anew with their families and loved ones.”
Marking the NPA’s founding anniversary the day before, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana in a speech on Thursday reiterated his call for the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) to lay down their weapons from their “irrelevant” cause, citing their alleged acts of killing, extortion, and burning committed by leftist rebels
The group was formally proclaimed as a terrorist group in December last year upon a proclamation signed by President Rodrigo Duterte, who had officially ordered the termination of peace talks with the rebels.
They are set to receive financial assistance and livelihood opportunities as their application for the Local Social Integration Program of the Provincial Government of Palawan and the Department of the Interior and Local Government's Comprehensive Local Social Integration Program is being processed.
Wescom commander Lieutenant General Rozzano Briguez said their surrender was a “serious blow" to the ranks of communist terrorism in the province, as well as an indication of the armed group's “unwilllingess” to continue with the armed struggle.
“According to them, their rank is tainted with corruption of their leaders, fatigue and disappointment due to unfulfilled promises,” the official said.
"We continue to urge the remaining members of communist terrorist NPA to choose the path of peace. We call on them to put their arms down, surrender and rejoin the society,” he added.
NPA members were likewise urged to avail of the government’s integration program to “start their lives anew with their families and loved ones.”
Marking the NPA’s founding anniversary the day before, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana in a speech on Thursday reiterated his call for the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) to lay down their weapons from their “irrelevant” cause, citing their alleged acts of killing, extortion, and burning committed by leftist rebels
The group was formally proclaimed as a terrorist group in December last year upon a proclamation signed by President Rodrigo Duterte, who had officially ordered the termination of peace talks with the rebels.
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