CAMP BANCASI, Butuan City - A total of 29 Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) members withdrew their membership from leftist group, and vowed allegiance to the government during a Grand Pulong-Pulong in Barangay Kalasungay, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.
Through the Community Support Program (CSP) team of the Army’s Eighth Infantry Battalion (8th IB), four members of the Sangay ng Partido sa Lokalidad (SPL) withdrew their party membership from CPP while 25 mass supporters denounced the National Democratic Front (NDF), 8th IB Civil Military Operations (CMO) officer 2nd Lt. Camille M. Bumatay told The Manila Bulletin late Thursday.
“They are now aware of the deceptive scheme and evil tactics of the CPP-NPAs,” the 8th IB CMO officer said.
“They also realized that they were just used for the benefit of the communist organization yet they got nothing in return,” she said.
“Our huge thanks to the soldiers who helped and supported us to obtain a peaceful life. Before, we took the wrong road in believing and supporting the wrong ideology instilled in us by the communist group but from here on, we are taking the right path with the true government which initiated hope for a lasting peace and new life. Together, let us focus our efforts in collaborating with the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” said Bumatay, quoting “Ka Jessa,” one of those who participated Grand Pulong Pulo who was a top leader and organizer of the CPP-NPA Pigyayungan in Bukidnon province.
The local government unit of Malaybalay City, led by Mayor Florencio Flores Jr., expressed its gratitude for the presence of the CSP of the 8th IB in the area.
Meanwhile, 8th IB commander Lt. Col. Edgardo V. Talaroc, Jr. also lauded the effort of the former CPP-NPA members for returning back to the fold of the government.
The 29 CPP-NPAs formally took their oath of allegiance to the government last week (July 16) during Grand Pulong-pulong program in Barangay Kalasungay, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon province.