NCRPO chief bares surrender of 100 CPP/NPA supporters
NATIONAL Capital Region Police Office director, Brigadier General Jonnel C. Estomo on Wednesday announced the surrender of 100 former die-hard supporters of the CPP/NPA in Metro Manla.
The 100 members of the Zone One Tondo Organization or ZOTO which is one of the sectoral organizations of the Koalisyon ng Maralita renounced their support to the CPP/NPA and committed to abandon the leftist ideology during ceremonies held in Barangay 175 in Caloocan City.
“This is part of our continuing effort to severe insurgency operations in so-called ‘white areas’ in Metro Manila. Our plan is to ensure that the NCRPO will be highly-trusted not only by residents of the metropolis but also by members of left-leaning sectoral organizations,” Brig. Gen. Estomo said.
The 100 renounced their support to the CPP/NPA during ceremonies attended by Northern Police District chief directorial staff, Colonel Joyce Patrick Sanggalang, Caloocan City Police Station officer-in-charge, Col. Ruben Lacuesta and a representative of the Joint Task Force NCR of the Armed Forces, Lieutenant Col. Gene Orense.
During the occasion, a former leader of a CPP/NPA front organization-turned president of the Youth for Change, Danmer de Guzman gave a testimony in which he encouraged the 100 to keep their allegiance to the government and actively take part in ending the five-decade communist insurgency in the country.
The participants took their oath of allegiance of the Republic of the Philippines and a pledge of commitment and renunciation of their members to the CPP/NPA front organizations.
They also participated in the ceremonial burning of a CPP/NPA/NDF ‘hammer and sickle’ flag to express their resentment to the misguided ideologies of the communist movement.
The 100 were the latest to be convinced by the NCRPO to renounce their allegiance to the CPP/NPA. During the 50th martial law anniversary last September 21, 10 hardcore CPP/NPA members also surrendered to Brig. Gen. Estomo and turned over their weapons.
The NCRPO chief encouraged other CPP/NPA members and supporters to surrender to authorities. “Sinasamantala ko ang pagkakataon na ito na muling hikayatin ang iba pang miyembro ng makakaliwang grupo at iba pang nagnanais magbagong buhay ngunit nag-aalanganin pa, kayo ay handang tanggapin at yakapin ng ating pamahalaan. Tutulungan po kayo ng inyong kapulisan, kasundaluhan at pamahalaan sa abot ng aming makakaya,” Brig. Gen. Estomo said.
