CAMP Aquino, Tarlac City – Fifty-four farmers who are members of a communist-affiliated mass organization in Barangay Balete here withdrew support to the New People’s Army on Wednesday, January 10.
The event was witnessed by the Philippine Army 3rd Mechanized Infantry Battalion, 702nd Brigade, the Philippine National Police-Tarlac, and member-agencies of the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC).
Lt. Col. Jeszer Bautista, commanding officer of the 3rd Mechanized Infantry Battalion, lauded the Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luzon (AMGL) members for their “good decision.”
Bautista encouraged other AMGL members to desire for peace and progress in Hacienda Luisita rather than the violence and insurgency from the NPA.
He reminded them not to be easily swayed by the NPA’s old schemes like offering and promising ways to stop the cycle of poverty.
The AMGL members denounced the NPA and pledged support to the government by taking an oath of allegiance to the government, signing a peace covenant, and burning communist flags.
They will join the Malayang Magbubukid ng Hacienda Luisita (Malaya), an organization and cooperative of former NPA members and supporters in this province, led by chairperson Florida “Ka Pong” Sibayan.
Florida said their withdrawal of support to the NPA is a good decision at the start of the year. She is optimistic that their cooperative will to set a good example to them.
She urged remaining NPA rebels to surrender and support the government and its programs.