BUTUAN CITY – Despite the threat posed by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), 66 members of the Militia ng Bayan (MB) and mass supporters of the New People’s Army (NPA) yielded to the government in a mass surrender in Barangay Mindulao, Magsaysay town, Misamis oriental province, military officials reported on Monday.
After their officials surrendered, the former rebels (FRs) immediately took their oath of allegiance to the government during ceremony held in Barangay Mindulao on Friday, August 28.
The mass surrender activity was conducted through the convergence of efforts of the joint Community Support Program (CSP) team of the Army’s 23rd Infantry (Masigasig) Battalion (23rd IB) and Community Action (ComAct) team of the Philippine National Police (PNP), members of the barangay council of Mindulao and the local government unit (LGU) of Magsaysay.
The NPA members and mass supporters also renounced the Communist Party of the Philippine (CPP) and its armed wing, the NPA, and its political front the National Democratic Front (NDF) and their terroristic activities that have adversely affected the lives of the residents and communities in Misamis Oriental.
The activity was graced by Magsaysay Mayor Rey B. Buhisan, Vice Mayor Charlie Buhisan, 23rd IB commanding officer Lt. Col. Julius Cesar C. Paulo, Magsaysay Police Chief Capt. Steohen Benbian F. Latar and the representatives from different line agencies of the government.
Alias “Ka Ken-Ken”, a Militia ng Bayan Member (MB) made a testimony during the activity particularly on how he was convinced to join the CNT movement, their hardship and lack of foods and logistical support, sleepless nights and keep on running in the mountains that made them misserable avoiding government troops,” 23rd IB Civil Military Operations (CMO) officer Firstt Lt. Roel T. Maglalang told The Manila Bulletin on Monday.