Kalinaw News: 14 NPA Milisya ng Bayan surrenders to 23rd IB, 325 Underground Mass Organizations withdraws NPA Support

Posted to Kalinaw News (May 2, 2021): 14 NPA Milisya ng Bayan surrenders to 23rd IB, 325 Underground Mass Organizations withdraws NPA Support



BUENAVISTA, Agusan del Norte – The 23rd Infantry (Masigasig) Battalion (23IB), together with the Provincial Government of Agusan del Norte and the local government unit (LGU) of Las Nieves welcomed back to the folds the fourteen (14) members of the NPAs in the barrios and three hundred twenty-five (325) members of Underground Mass Organizations (UGMOs) in a pledge of allegiance ceremony held on April 30, 2021 in Barangay Consorcia, Las Nieves.

The mass surrender ceremony was witnessed by Las Nieves Mayor Avelina S. Rosales; Gerry Joey Laurito, the Provincial Administrator of Agusan del Norte; Lieutenant Colonel Julius Cesar C. Paulo, INF (GSC) PA, Commanding Officer of 23IB; Police Lieutenant Fritzel V. Cubillan, Chief of Las Nieves Municipal Police Station; Dir. Rey M. Cueva of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) of Agusan del Norte; Ms. Karen S. Rosales, head of the Youth for Peace in Las Nieves; members of the Sanguniang Bayan of Las Nieves; Barangay Captain Wennie A. Loquinte, together with the members of the barangay council joined by hundreds of residents of Consorcia.

It can be recalled that a peace consultation and dialogue, locally known as pulong-pulong, was conducted last December 18, 2020 in Barangay Consorcia. During the activity, the residents expressed their issues and concerns, especially on peace and order. They also lamented on the continuing terroristic activities of the NPA’s and voiced out their worries on the recruitment of terrorists among the vulnerable sectors in their community especially the youth. The 23IB, during the meeting, also provided the residents with inputs and information on the different schemes the NPA members utilize in recruitment.

During the mass surrender activity, the NPAs in the barrio also handed over to the government nine (9) Caliber 22 (Airgun) rifles, four (4) homemade shotguns with two (2) live ammunition, and one (1) Caliber 38 pistol with five (5) live ammunition.

Alias “Nong” was one of the surrenderee and shared his experience and difficulties when he was still supporting the communist movement.

In her message, Mayor Rosales lauded the courageous act of the residents of Consorcia for condemning the NPA and making a turn to the right path. “As you chose to start a new life, you have finally made up your mind to cut ties and withdrew your support to them. We are grateful that you have finally realized that there is no tomorrow with the presence of NPA rebels in your barangay. This program is not only for the Army, the police, and the government agencies. We want nothing but peace and development. We can only achieve this through your cooperation,” Rosales said.

Provincial Administrator Laurito, who represented Gov. Dale B. Corvera, expressed gladness for the decreasing number of NPA members and supporters in the province. “Our government is always here to listen to your concern and is very eager to give basic services to the people. We are glad that you have denounced your support to the NPA rebels for hindering the development interventions,” Laurito said.

The head of the Youth for Peace in Las Nieves, Karen S. Rosales asked the parents to look over their children to prevent them from being recruited by the NPA, and transform them as effective youth in the community. “The youths are among the vulnerable sectors of the community and the NPA are taking undue advantage of their vulnerability. Let us go hand in hand to end the 52 years of deceptive recruitment that have been destroying the future of our youth,” Ms. Rosales stated.

TESDA Dir. Cueva extended his compliments to the residents for their bravery, “Now that you have withdrawn your support to the NPA, the development will surely boost in your community. In partnership with the LGU of Las Nieves, we at TESDA are providing support, especially in honing your knowledge and skills for increased productivity.”

Lieutenant Colonel Paulo welcome the former rebels and mass supporters and thank them for the withdrawal of support and enslavement from NPA, “We are grateful that you denounced the NPA finally cut your support with them. You also surrendered tools and devices used against the Army and the police. Rest assured that this kind of act will never be put to waste.”

The 23IB commander thanked the barangay officials of Consorcia for their support to the mass surrender activity. He also reminded the residents to guard their community from the terroristic activities of the NPA rebels and shield the youth from the deceptive recruitment of the terrorists. “Now that their number continues to decrease, they will never stop regaining their strength by recruiting new members. The first line of defense in shielding our youth against these terrorists are the families and the community as a whole.”

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/14-npa-mbs-surrender-to-23rd-ib-325-ugmos-withdrew-npa-support/