DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, July 5 (PIA) -- After realizing they have no future and became fed up with the false promises of the Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs), 19 combatant members of the New People's Army (NPA) voluntarily surrendered to authorities of the 94th Infantry Battalion at Barangay Tambo, Ayungon in Negros Oriental.

"The cooperation of the people has been a great factor in enlightening many of our brothers of choosing the right path towards peace,” said Brigadier General Inocencio Pasaporte, 303rd brigade commander of the Philippine Army. 

The official also hopes that more will surrender in the interest of reconciliation for the peace and development of the NPA members. 

In a simple ceremony, the surrenderers took their oath of allegiance to the government to officially cut their ties with the CPP-NPA-NDF terrorist group and to publicly denounce the CTGs.

During the ceremony, the former NPA members burned the CPP-NPA-NDF flag at the headquarters of the 94th Infantry Battalion in Ayungon town on July 2.

According to Capt. Mervin Rosal, civil military officer of 303rd Infantry Brigade, the true identity of the surrendered Communists NPA Terrorists (CNTs) are temporarily hidden for their safety.

“They were currently at the custody of the 94th IB as they will undergo assessment and debriefing to officially avail the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) of the government through DILG and Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO),” said Rosal.

In an interview with the military, the NPA surrenderees were already fed up with the false promises of the NPA leader and decided to leave the armed struggle due to internal conflict, lack of medical support, and leadership problems of their leader in the organization.

Living with difficulties and hardships in the hands of the NPA, the rebel-surrenderers would like to avail of the E-CLIP being implemented by the local government in order to start a peaceful and safety life together with their families.

Pasaporte lauded the efforts of the 94IB troops in the area in its aggressive campaign of bringing back the rebels to the folds of the law and availing the E-CLIP. 

“The bravery and courage of the surrendered CNT members who abandoned the armed struggle for their own good, and is a clear manifestation of the former rebels' trust in the government especially the Army in Negros,” said Pasaporte. (JCT/PIA7 Negros Oriental with reports from 303rd IB)