CAMP CAPINPIN, Tanay, Rizal, July 18 (PIA) — The communist terrorists’ mass base in Bulacan crumbled after 83 supporters withdrew their support from the communist party during a ceremony at Malolos City on Thursday.
The event, presided by Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando, was witnessed by top military and police commanders from Central Luzon and Southern Tagalog as well as by municipal mayors and NTF ELCAC representatives.
According to Lt Col Rimrad Feraer, Commanding Officer of the 80th Infantry Battalion, majority of the former rebels are indigenous people who were threatened and coerced to support the NPA terrorists operating in the boundaries of Regions 3, 4 and NCR.
“We condemn the NPA’s act of forcibly recruiting the IPs which is a blatant disregard of their peaceful nature and a violation of their fundamental rights as enshrined in our constitution”, ended Lt Col Feraer.
Brigadier General Alex Rillera, Commander of the 202nd Infantry Brigade, said that “Norzagaray is a Joint Focus Area of the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division and 7th Infantry Division since the enemy operating in that area evades our forces by moving from one region to another.”
He added that through this strategy, they were able to “blur the lines which limits our movement through close coordination with our counterparts from adjacent Army and PNP units” which, according to him, resulted to “unprecedented headways in counterinsurgency operations the area just like this mass surrender.”
“The massive withdrawal of support from this area is the final straw which signals the imminent dismantling of Guerilla Front Cesar”, ended BGen Rillera.
Police Colonel Lawrence Cajipe, Provincial Director of Bulacan Police, congratulated the former rebels for “choosing the path to peace and for turning their backs from the underground movement” while assuring them that “your policemen and soldiers are always here to assist you in this next chapter of your lives.”
Major General Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr, Commander of the Philippine Army’s 2nd Infantry Division, commended the government’s security forces for “our ability to transcend borders and deal the enemies of the state with decisive blows that will further push them on the verge of irreversible collapse and irrecoverable defeat.”
He assured the people that “although your soldiers are happy to defeat the NPAs without firing a single shot, we are more than ready to deploy every assets and all of our military might to finally end this insurgency that has been hampering our nation’s growth and potentials so that our people can finally live the peaceful and prosperous lives that every Filipino citizen truly deserves.”
Maj Gen Burgos ended his statement by calling upon the “few remaining NPA terrorists to lay down your arms and follow the path which your mass base took while you still can because additional soldiers will be deployed in the frontlines to hunt you down and put end to your terroristic acts.”
In his speech, Gov Fernando expressed his “gratitude to President Duterte for his effort to end local communist armed conflict through the whole of nation approach so that progress and development may finally be attained.”
He said that the surrenders “made the right decision because it is better to live our lives without fear, it is better to live our lives together with our families and it is better to live our lives in peace and with the Lord.”
After the ceremony, Gov Fernando handed-over cash assistance to the surrenders which is over and above the benefits under E-CLIP which they can avail should they qualify for enrolment to the program.
He also administered the oath-taking of the returnees which culminated the event.
Military and police are now on the process of determining the degree of party membership of each surrender. They are also validating initial reports that the surrenders include “child-warriors”.
They are confident that these surrenders will lead them to arms cache after the debriefing similar to previous NPA surrenders across the country. (2ID PAO)
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.