(Photos by Mark De Castro/PIA-NCR)
MANILA, (PIA) -- Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of Martial Law, 10 reported members of the CPP-NPA or the CTG (Communist Terrorist Group) voluntarily surrendered and laid down their high powered firearms to National Capital Region Police Office ARD BGen. Jonnel Estomo, Wednesday morning at the Lupang Pangako, Phase 2, Covered Court in Barangay Payatas, Quezon City.
The event, part of the Serbisyo Caravan organized by the NCR Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NCRTF-ELCAC), utilized the whole-of-nation approach in unmasking the deceptive recruitment being done by the CTG, in addition to delivering real public service and bringing government initiatives, economic programs, assistance and services to barangay residents.
Those who surrendered were identified as @Ka Roger, member of L1, KP3- Sorsogon; @Ka Primero, member of L1, KP5- Sorsogon; @Ka Velyn, of L1, KP3- Sorsogon; @Ka Darrio, member of L1, KP1- Camarines Norte; @Bunso, L1, (Central) under @Bryan Masamoc and @Daddy TN Raul Tolingin; @Ka Beng, Platoon 3, L2, KP4 finance office (2007) (S4) under @Rading, Medical Staff under @Bukbok/Rowen (2008) TN Dindo Monsanto; @Ka Jomari Platoon 3, L2, KP4 SPARU member under @Arlan, Ed Ricky, Tito; @Junjun, Platoon 3, L2, KP4, under @Daddy, Julie, JK, Ryan;
@Janjan, Platoon 3 L2, KP4 under @Emman and @Daddy; and @Ka Roy, Platoon 1, L2, KP4 CO.
The NPA surrenderers voluntarily gave up their high powered firearms and explosives including a 5.56 rifle with six (6) short magazines and 122 rounds of 5.56 ammunition, 4 rounds of 40mm grenade launcher; One "sumpak" (improvised gun) with 18 rounds of 12 gauge shotgun ammo; Two shotguns with 36 rounds of 12 gauge shotgun ammo; Two 38 cal revolvers with 2 ammo.
Estomo warmly welcomed their conversion to the government by taking their Oath of Allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines.
The NCRPO chief said their relentless efforts to encourage members of the CPP-NPA to return to the government's fold has reaped more gains with the surrender of the 10 alleged rebels and communist operatives.
Estomo said this is a concrete example that the PNP has always been open and finding ways for diplomatic and peaceful resolution gearing towards ending any form of conflict that may trigger violence.
As proof, members of the leftist group shared their testimonies, regarding the false promises and bitter experiences they had within the movement.
Estomo also told reporters that these surrenderers sent feelers even during his tenure as Regional Director of the Police Regional Office 5 in the Bicol Region but their enthusiasm temporarily decreased when he moved to the NCR assignment. Knowing they are Safe with S.A.F.E. NCRPO, they went ahead with their plan to surrender and put down their weapons.
The community outreach was a joint project of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency-NCR (NICA-NCR) and Joint Task Force-NCR of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, in collaboration with the Metro Manila offices of the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Technical Education and Skills Development (TESDA), the NCRPO Regional Medical & Dental Unit (RMDU) and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)
Among the free services offered at the caravan site include medical consultation, dental check-up, free haircut, free circumcision, and PNP NUP Recruitment.
According to Payatas Barangay Captain Manny Guarin, he was happy that his barangay was chosen to meet the needs of his constituents, especially to free them from the hands of the left-wing communist terrorist movement CPP-NPA-NDF.
Besides the services, the beneficiaries also received food, groceries, and nutritious vegetables. (PIA-NCR)
