2 ex-rebels, 15 supporters cut ties with CPP-NPA in Aurora

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 6, 2023): 2 ex-rebels, 15 supporters cut ties with CPP-NPA in Aurora (By Jason De Asis)

OATH OF ALLEGIANCE. Two former members and 15 supporters of the communist terrorist group take an oath of allegiance following their surrender to the Philippine Army's 91st Infantry Battalion in Baler town, Aurora province on Sunday (Feb. 5, 2023). Lt. Col. Julito B. Recto Jr., 91IB commander, assured that the Army will help them as they rejoin the mainstream society. (Photo courtesy of the Army's 91IB)

BALER, Aurora – Two former members and 15 supporters of the communist terrorist group (CTG) in this province have surrendered to the military on Sunday.

Lt. Col. Julito B. Recto Jr., commander of the Army’s 91 Infantry Battalion (91IB), said on Monday the two surrendered rebels were former members of the Aurora Provincial Party Committee of the dismantled Domingo Erlano Command of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).

Recto said the 17 surrenderers signified their withdrawal of support from the CTG as they took their oath of allegiance to the government during a ceremony in this town.

“Those people voluntarily submitted themselves to 91B. They came here for a lasting sense of peace and are now committed to supporting the government’s program,” he said in an interview.

Recto lauded the decision of the surrenderers as he pointed out that the government is always ready to accept and help them lead peaceful lives anew.

“They were all victims of the lies, deceptions and propaganda of the terror organization which added fire and fabricated issues against the government to destroy its good image," he said.

He assured that the Philippine Army will help the surrenderers in their reintegration into mainstream society.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1194521