BACOLOD CITY - At least 3,600 residents, including former rebels in Negros island, condemned the atrocities of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in a series of condemnation rallies this week.
The residents were from the cities of Kabankalan, Silay, Himamaylan, and La Carlota, and the town of Moises Padilla in the occidental side, and Guihulngan City in Negros Oriental.
According to the Army, the Negrenses denounced the killings, extortion, recruitment of minors, and destruction (of properties) allegedly perpetrated by the CPP-NPA.
Brig. Gen. Inocencio Pasaporte, commander of 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde), said in a statement that he appreciated that the majority of the people, especially the Negrenses, have realized the true colors of the NPA.
Pasaporte said they will continue their relentless efforts to neutralize CTG whose members continue to terrorize the local populace in Negros Island.
The participants took their oath of peace and released white balloons as a symbol of peace in an utter show of withdrawal from the CPP-NPA which incidentally celebrated its 53rd founding anniversary last March 29.
They also burned the CPP-NPA-National Democratic Front (NDF) flag, offered prayers, and lit candles for the victims of atrocities.
It can be recalled that suspected NPAs allegedly burned a backhoe in Kabankalan City and also damaged another backhoe in Sipalay City through an explosion last month.
The NPA also claimed the ambush on some policemen in Binalbagan town in February this year that left two cops wounded.