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54 NPA rebels, supporters in Cordillera surrender

February 9, 2022 Alfred P. Dalizon 542 views

FIFTY-FOUR New People’s Army members and sympathizers in Cordillera region have decided to return to the fold of the law and avail of the government’s comprehensive program , Cordillera Police Regional Office director Brig. Gen. Ronald Lee told the Journal Group yesterday.

In a report to Philippine National Police chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos, the official said that 10 of the 54 are NPA supporters in Apayao, Benguet and Ifugao provinces who surrendered to Cordillera police and military authorities late last month as a result of the “whole-of-government approach” at ending the more than five-decades long communist insurgency.

“The 10 decided to pull out their support to the CPP-NPA movement following talks with police and military officers in the three provinces and after being convinced too by local barangay officials and their families,” Lee said.

Lee further said that six of the 10-three males and three females in their 50s were former members of the Militia ng Bayan under the NPA’s Kilusang Larangang Gerilya operating in Cagayan and Apayao.

Three other former Militia ng Bayan members from the NPA’s KLG-North Abra also yielded to local authorities. The three are composed of two males and one female, the eldest of them 58-years-old and the youngest 38.

The one who surrendered in Ifugao is a 56-year-old former KLG-Ifugao members, who also turned over subversive documents, assorted clothes and medical kits being used by their group.

The official said that three of the NPA members who surrendered to Benguet authorities last week received cash aid under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program or E-CLIP of the government.

Benguet Gov. Melchor Diclas, Lee and Benguet police director Col. Reynaldo Pasiwen welcomed the three as they also surrendered their guns and bullets to the police.

Lee also announced the withdrawal of support to the CPP-NPA by 41 members of the Kasigudan Aywanan Takderan Binangun di Kabunian Organizaiton or KATABIKO following a series of talks with local police and military officials.

The 41 declared their rejection of the CPP-NPA and pledged their allegiance to the government during simple ceremonies held in Tadian, Mountain Province.

Mountain Province PPO director Col. Ruben Andiso and Col. Angel Madarang, the deputy commander of the Army’s 702nd Brigade, thanked the 41 for their decision to end their support to the communist movement and help the government attain its vision of having a much safer and better country to live in.

Lee said that the local Technical Education and Skills Development Authority assured free scholarships to any of the former NPA rebels and supporters who are willing to enroll in different livelihood classes being offered by the government.

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