Kalinaw News: Localized peace engagement activity led to withdrawal of support of CPP-NPA-NDF

Posted to Kalinaw News (Apr 9, 2022): Localized peace engagement activity led to withdrawal of support of CPP-NPA-NDF



Camp Jorge Downes, Ormoc City, Leyte– Sixty-nine mass supporters from Brgy. Kauswagan, Malinao, Libas, Magatas, Hinabian, Bantawon, Himus-onan, Catmon and Sta. Cruz of St. Bernard, Southern Leyte withdrew their support from the communist npa terrorist and pledged their allegiance to the government during a Local Peace Engagement (LPE) with the Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (MTF-ELCAC) of St Bernard and Community Support Program (CSP) Team of the 14th Infantry Battalion and the 2nd Southern Leyte Police Mobile Force Company (2SLPMFC) conducted at Brgy. Malinao of the same municipality, today, April 8, 2022. Among the 69 mass supporters, one (1) is a CPP candidate member who took oath to the party and have undergone military training. Thirty-one (31) were contacts of the cpp-npa, six (6) were informants tasked for “gawaing paniktik” and the remaining thirty-one (31) were couriers for their food and logistical needs.

The LPE was attended by Mayor Manuel O. Calapre, Chairperson of MTF-ELCAC Saint Bernard, Lieutenant Colonel Ernesto R. Dela Rosa Jr, Commanding Officer of 14IB, Police Lieutenant Colonel Jovie R. Espenido, Force Commander of 2SLPMFC and the BTF-ELCAC Chairpersons of the eight aforementioned barangays. Also present during the activity were the local government agencies of Saint Bernard such as the Municipal Police Station (MPS), Municipal Health Office (MHO), Municipal Social Worker and Development Office (MSWDO), Public Employment Service Office (PESO), and the Office of the Municipal Assessor Office in order to immediately facilitate the distribution of food packs, vitamins, medicines and free health consultation to the said communities as manifestation of their commitment in ending the local communist armed conflict.

During the activity, the 69 supporters burned the CPP-NPA-NDF flag as a symbol of their abandonment and renunciation of the terrorist group. Pacita Correa alyas “Ellen”, Realyn Lombog alyas “Shane” and Emma Lorren, all former members of the communist terrorist group of CPP-NPA-NDF who have surrendered to 14IB, gave testimonies of their bad experiences while being with the terrorist group.

The 69 former mass supporters were organized to support the recovery effort of the cpp-npa-ndf in the area. According to a certain Alyas “Isang”, they were taught with NPA courses such as Introduction to PADEPA (Pambansang Demokratikong Paaralan), AgRev (Agrarian Revolution) and MKLRP (Maikling Kurso sa Lipunan at Rebolusyong Pilipino). Further, the terrorist group organized “Hungos” which translates to “Pagtutulungan” composed of youth, women and farmers. Such meetings were secretly held at different locations including the auditorium, Kalahi facility, farmland, vicinity of the water reservoir and in the outskirts of Brgy. Old Kauswagan.

Another mass supporter identified as Alyas “Roy” revealed that he was promised of a reward in a form of sexual favour to a female NPA member if he join the armed group and undergo military trainings inside the NPA hide-outs. However, he refused after realizing that it was only a bait for him to become a full-time member.

According to Alyas “Jerry”, the terrorist armed group visited their barangay after the onslaught of Typhoon “Odette” where the mass supporters covertly provided foods and their other basic needs. Further, the terrorist went to their farmlands and demanded for a share of their harvest which they obliged to give in due to fear of the terrorist npa.
Ltc Ernesto Dela Rosa, mentioned that the 69 former mass supporters will be incorporated to the Saint Bernard Integrated Peace and Development Workers Association (IPDWA). ” They will become partners of the MTF-ELCAC of Saint Bernard in ending the local communist armed conflict in the area.”

Kalinaw News, [09/04/2022 9:13 AM]
Mayor Calapre said that the Localize LPE activity convinced the former mass supporters to withdraw their support from the cpp-npa-ndf. He further mentioned that he will implement the various programs of MFT-ELCAC since this is an effective way to attain lasting peace and sustainable development in his municipality. “As your mayor, it is my desire to have a peaceful municipality and we could attain this by supporting the programs of the TF-ELCAC. We continue our call for them to surrender and end this insurgency”, Mayor Calapre added.

Col Noel A Vestuir, 802nd Brigade Commander, admired the courage of the 69 former mass supporters who stands against the cpp-npa-ndf.“ Their withdrawal of support from the terrorist group would certainly negate the recovery efforts and denied their exploitation, control and influence in the interior barangays.”

Col Vestuir also expressed his thanks to the Local Government Unit of Saint Bernard through Mayor Manuel O. Calapre, the LPE team composed of 14IB, Southern Leyte PNP, other government agencies and stakeholders for initiating the activity and providing immediate assistance in the conduct of the Community Support Program in the area.

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