15 rebel ‘allies’ yield to gov’t troops in Ecija
GUIMBA, Nueva Ecija – The Nueva Ecija’s “Provincial Task Force to End (the) Local Communist Armed Conflict” (PTF-ELCAC) has gained another “success” following the mass surrender of 15 alleged members of suspected front organizations of the New People’s Army (NPA) to government authorities here on Tuesday.
Lt. Col. Joseph R. Sta. Cruz, 2nd Provincial Mobile Force commander, said the 15 surrenderees were affiliated with the Liga ng Manggawang Bukid (LMB) and the Alyansang Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luson (AMGL) under the Kilusan ng Magsasaka sa Pilipinas.
In formal ceremonies held at the Barangay San Roque hall here, Nueva Ecija top cop Col. Richard V. Caballero led the group in signing a manifesto pledging their support and loyalty to the government and denouncing the CPP-NPA-NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army/National Democratic Front).
Also present during the mass surrender were Lt. Col. Jonathan Q. Meru, acting police head, and representatives of the local government unit headed by Guimba Mayor Jose R. Dizon, the 84th Infantry Battalion, and barangay officials.
Caballero said tokens such as food packs were also distributed to the surrenderees during the activity.
“The PNP will continue to be persistent in its operations against the CTGs [communist terrorist groups] in this part of the country and will further intensify its programs under the Executive Order No. 70 with our Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC)”, said Caballero.
