Key Philippine Military and Insurgency-Related Events: Kalinaw News: Enlightened NPA supporters submit to government forces

Saturday, May 11, 2019

Kalinaw News: Enlightened NPA supporters submit to government forces

Posted to the Kalinaw News (May 11, 2019): Enlightened NPA supporters submit to government forces

Camp General Mateo Capinpin, TANAY – Eleven (11) CPP-NPA supporters and sympathizers voluntarily submitted themselves to the members of Philippine Army and Philippine National Police who were conducting Community Support Operations in Bongabong, yesterday.

The surrenderees, all members of the Indigenous People (Mangyan Tribe) from Barangay Lisap, Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro, are members of Sangay ng Partido sa Lokalidad (SPL) and Milisyang Bayan (MB). These organizations served as eyes and ears of the NPA in the
community to monitor the presence of military and police in the area.

One of the surrenderees alias Aguy said, “Pagod na kaming maniwala sa mga kasinungalingan ng mga NPA. Ginagamit lang nila kami sa pansirili nilang layunin, ‘di nila tinutupad ang mga pangako nila sa amin”.

Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Arbolado, Commanding Officer of 4 th Infantry Battalion who facilitated the surrenders, appealed to the CNTs to stop exploiting the innocent mind of our brother IPs. “Spare them from violence and let them live peacefully. Stop exploiting them. Stop
manipulating them to join your sagging ranks”, Lt. Col. Arbolado added.

On the other hand, Colonel Marceliano Teofilo lauded the eleven surenderees for their right decision. He encouraged them to avail the government Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), and live peacefully with their families. He also conveyed a
message to the CPP-NPA to return to the folds of the law.

The CPP-NPAs in Mindoro is losing their ground.as indicated by their series of tactical setbacks. Little by little, their supporters are turning back from them and embracing the E-CLIP program of the government.

Meanwhile, Police Brigadier General Thomas Apolinario Jr, MIMAROPA Regional Director, commended the Army and Police in Oriental Mindoro for the successful information operation in the area. “Let us continue providing right information to our brother IPs so that they will not be recruited by these NPAs. Let us help them to be productive citizens and enjoy their lives safely and free of fear”, PBGEN Apolinario concluded.

Said surenderees are still undergoing debriefing and documentation for their enrolment in the E-CLIP to aid their transition back to the folds of the government.