CAMP BANCASI, Butuan City – Sixty former members and supporters of the Communist New People’s Army (NPA) terrorists have cut ties with the terrorist group to support the continuing peace and development program of the government in their far-flung villages in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental province.
The former rebels and their supporters came from the different far-flung areas of Barangay Kamanikan, Gingoog City.
Some of them were indigenous people (IP), who pledged their loyalty to the government and denounced the terrorist movement for hindering the development interventions in their villages that has caused poverty and hunger among the residents for years.
Eight of the villagers once served as members of the Militia ng Bayan while 52 were mass supporters of Guerrilla Front 4-A (GF 4-A) of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-NPA North Central Mindanao Regional Committee.
The former NPA members and supporters also expressed their guilt for giving in to the demands of the leftist organization which brought nothing but fear and regression in their community.
The activity was conducted by the joint efforts of the Barangay council of Kamanikan and the Army’s 23rd Infantry Battalion (23rd IB).
During their pledge of allegiance to the government on Tuesday (Sept. 8), the villagers also condemned the Communists for their terroristic activities that put into great danger the lives and properties of the residents in the area, 23rd IB CMO Officer 1stLt. Roel T. Maglalang told The Manila Bulletin on Thursday.
They also vowed to support the Army and the Philippine National Police (PNP) by providing vital information in the continuing drive to end the local communist armed conflicts in their locality, he added.
Meanwhile, 23rd IB commander Lt. Col. Julius Cesar C. Paulo also said he was happy to be with the people of Barangay Kamanikan, especially now that the lives of local residents have been saved from the atrocities of the terrorists.