18 NPA supporters, militiamen surrender

From the Visayan Daily Star (Aug 11): 18 NPA supporters, militiamen surrender

The 62nd Infantry Battalion reported yesterday that 18 supporters of the New People’s Army pledged allegiance to the government, as they abandoned and denounced the armed struggle during a ceremony held in Brgy. Carabalan, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental.

1Lt. Allen Mark Tacorda, 62IB Civil Military Operations officer, said the former rebels used to be Yunit Militia members and supporters of the NPA, who burned the CPP-NPA flag, as a symbol of their separation from the terrorist organization.

Tacorda said the former rebels were updated on the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program, that NPA members who want to surrender and live peacefully with their families may avail of.

Lt. Col. Egberto Dacoscos, 62IB commander, said he expects more NPA members to surrender, following their sustained information dissemination campaign on the deceptive tactics and atrocities of the CPP-NPA.

“The surrender of these former supporters of the CPP-NPA is a clear indication that they can no longer endure the barbarism and viciousness inflicted on them by this terrorist organization who feeds them with nothing but poverty and misery,” Dacoscos said.

At the same time, he also lauded the bravery of the 18 former rebels and the people of barangay Carabalan for denouncing the ruthlessness of the CPP-NPA terrorist organization.

The activity was witnessed by the Himamaylan police, represented by Senior Inspector Renante Salgado, deputy police chief, Father Ritchie Villaflor, Pastor Winston Villanueva Carabalan, the barangay council headed by Mldred Titular, Punong Barangay, and the Sangguniang Kabataan officials headed by Aurello Laja Jr. who is also the president of the Youth for Peace and Development Movement of the Philippines in Himamaylan City.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2018/August/11/topstory6.htm