With NPA forces dwindling, AFP confident of neutralizing rebs
Published May 21, 2018 10:41 am
By Mike Crismundo
BUTUAN CITY -- The Communist New People’s Army Terrorists (CNTs) continued to dwindle in numbers as more rebels voluntarily surrendered to the government, Lt. Tere Ingente, chief of the Public Affairs office (PAO) of the Army’s 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division (4th ID) said.
FILE: Their faces covered to avoid reprisals from their former comrades, members of the communist New People’s Army are presented to the media after they surrendered. (Ali Vicoy/MANILA BULLETIN)
She claimed that the government is gaining headway in its war against CNTs.
The 4th ID PAO chief also claimed that more rebels are set to return to the fold of the law and to avail of the government’s livelihood, peace and development program.
Lt. Ingente cited the revelation of the armed CNT who just surrendered to the 30thInfantry Battallion on Saturday in Barangay Sta. Cruz, Placer, Surigao del Norte.
She said the rebel returnee disclosed during initial investigation that several NPA members are having second thoughts in continuing the armed struggle because of severe difficulties they have been experiencing.
“Hardship and lack of logistical support are among the reasons. . . yes yan ang kanilang dahilan to return back to the fold of the government,” the 4th ID PAO chief told The Manila Bulletin on Monday.
“The former CNT member can no longer take the hardship he had experienced in the life of being a member of the NPA and the hunger and desire to be with his family are the reasons why he decided to surrender,” stressed the 4th ID PAO chief.
This CNT voluntarily surrendered early Saturday morning at the headquarters of the 30th IB in Barangay Sta. Cruz, Placer, Surigao del Norte.
Lt. Ingente said the surrenderee (identity temporarily withheld for security reason), brought along with him his AK47 rifle with 3 magazines fully loaded with 81 live ammunitions, when he voluntarily surrendered at 3 a.m. on Saturday to the command group of the 30th IB led by its commander Lt. Col. Allen Raymund Tomas.
The rebel returnee is a member of Guerilla Front Committee 16-B (GFC 16-B) of the CPP-NPA North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC), operating in the municipalities of San Francisco, Malimono, Mainit and Surigao City, all of Surigao del Norte, Lt. Ingente said.
During the initial investigation, the rebel returnee disclosed that he had conversations with some of the wounded NPA members involved during the encounter at Barangay Can-aga, Malimono last May 5, this year, and he said they also wanted to go back to the fold of the law, added the 4th ID PAO chief.
Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Tomas called on the leadership of the GFC 16-B to give medical attention to their wounded comrades in an encounter last May 5, this year.
“Wounded NPAs have a right to be treated in a proper medical facility. Leadership of Guerilla Front Committee 16-B should not let their wounded comrades be treated with their self-trained medical person in the mountains,” said the 30th IB commander, in a statement sent to The Manila Bulletin Sunday afternoon.
Government’s Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) states a former rebel can avail of the P15,000 immediate cash assistance and P50,000 livelihood assistance when he surrenders. In addition, the surrendered firearms have an equivalent amount of money depending on the serviceability and caliber of the firearm, added Lt. Col. Tomas.
On the other hand, the Northeastern and Northern Mindanao 4th ID chief Maj. Gen. Ronald C. Villanueva called on the remaining CNTs who are still running in the mountains to come down and avail of the government’s peace and development program.
“To all remaining NPA members, I know that you want to go back to your families and live a normal life, it is not too late to abandon the CPP-NPA’s failed ideology. We will be assisting you in your application to the CLIP for you to start a new life with your family,” the 4th ID chief added.
FILE: Their faces covered to avoid reprisals from their former comrades, members of the communist New People’s Army are presented to the media after they surrendered. (Ali Vicoy/MANILA BULLETIN)
She claimed that the government is gaining headway in its war against CNTs.
The 4th ID PAO chief also claimed that more rebels are set to return to the fold of the law and to avail of the government’s livelihood, peace and development program.
Lt. Ingente cited the revelation of the armed CNT who just surrendered to the 30thInfantry Battallion on Saturday in Barangay Sta. Cruz, Placer, Surigao del Norte.
She said the rebel returnee disclosed during initial investigation that several NPA members are having second thoughts in continuing the armed struggle because of severe difficulties they have been experiencing.
“Hardship and lack of logistical support are among the reasons. . . yes yan ang kanilang dahilan to return back to the fold of the government,” the 4th ID PAO chief told The Manila Bulletin on Monday.
“The former CNT member can no longer take the hardship he had experienced in the life of being a member of the NPA and the hunger and desire to be with his family are the reasons why he decided to surrender,” stressed the 4th ID PAO chief.
This CNT voluntarily surrendered early Saturday morning at the headquarters of the 30th IB in Barangay Sta. Cruz, Placer, Surigao del Norte.
Lt. Ingente said the surrenderee (identity temporarily withheld for security reason), brought along with him his AK47 rifle with 3 magazines fully loaded with 81 live ammunitions, when he voluntarily surrendered at 3 a.m. on Saturday to the command group of the 30th IB led by its commander Lt. Col. Allen Raymund Tomas.
The rebel returnee is a member of Guerilla Front Committee 16-B (GFC 16-B) of the CPP-NPA North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC), operating in the municipalities of San Francisco, Malimono, Mainit and Surigao City, all of Surigao del Norte, Lt. Ingente said.
During the initial investigation, the rebel returnee disclosed that he had conversations with some of the wounded NPA members involved during the encounter at Barangay Can-aga, Malimono last May 5, this year, and he said they also wanted to go back to the fold of the law, added the 4th ID PAO chief.
Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Tomas called on the leadership of the GFC 16-B to give medical attention to their wounded comrades in an encounter last May 5, this year.
“Wounded NPAs have a right to be treated in a proper medical facility. Leadership of Guerilla Front Committee 16-B should not let their wounded comrades be treated with their self-trained medical person in the mountains,” said the 30th IB commander, in a statement sent to The Manila Bulletin Sunday afternoon.
Government’s Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) states a former rebel can avail of the P15,000 immediate cash assistance and P50,000 livelihood assistance when he surrenders. In addition, the surrendered firearms have an equivalent amount of money depending on the serviceability and caliber of the firearm, added Lt. Col. Tomas.
On the other hand, the Northeastern and Northern Mindanao 4th ID chief Maj. Gen. Ronald C. Villanueva called on the remaining CNTs who are still running in the mountains to come down and avail of the government’s peace and development program.
“To all remaining NPA members, I know that you want to go back to your families and live a normal life, it is not too late to abandon the CPP-NPA’s failed ideology. We will be assisting you in your application to the CLIP for you to start a new life with your family,” the 4th ID chief added.