“Andito ang kapulisan, andito ang army, andito ang gobyerno, lahat tayo magkakapatid. At iyan ang sabihin natin sa mga kasama natin na hanggang ngayon ay nalilinlang pa rin,” he said.
The DILG chief also noted the value of life and unity.
“Napakahalaga ng buhay. Kung kayo nasasaktan, nasasaktan din ang military, nasasaktan din ang pulis. Bawat buhay na mawawala masakit sa bawat isa at hindi dapat mangyari yun. Malalabanan natin ito hindi sa armas kung hindi sa puso ng bawat isa, ang pakikiisa ng bawat Pilipino.”
Based on police record, majority of the surrenderees were full-time members of the NPA with the position of platoon leader, commanding officer, secretary of local party branch and finance collector.
According to NCRPO, the surrenderees have joined the group of Sandatahang Yunit Propaganda (SYP), Pulang Mandirigma, KP5 L2, Pang Probinsiyang Yunit operating in Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon, Albay, Masbate, Inga and Bula, all of Bicol Region.
They engaged in ambuscades in different areas in Region 5 members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and PNP, among others. They were trained at the Alyansa ng Kabataang Mamahayag (AKM), Lipunan at Rebolusyong Pilipino (LRP) Batayang Kurso ng Partido (BKP), Abanting Kurso ng Partido (AKP), Batayang Kurso sa Pulitiko-Militar (BKM).
During the event, selected member of the leftist group shared her testimony on the deceitful strategies and false ideologies instilled in them which were used to encourage members to oppose the government and further revealed the abuses of high-ranking commanders in their ranks.
Among the highlights of the event were the taking and signing of the Oath of Allegiance to the Philippine government and the tearing of CPP/NPA flags/paraphernalia.
Likewise, the surrenderees were also provided with food, grocery packs, health kits, and cash assistance. They also underwent seminar as one of the requirements in the processing of E-CLIP or the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program accorded to all members of CPP/NPA/NDF or “Militia ng Bayan” members who opted to return to the folds of the government and live with their families in peace.
The ceremony ended with the mass singing of “Ang Bayan Ko” and the lighting of candles done by all of the participants simultaneously. The candle signifies lighting the dark life of the surrenderees and the beginning of their journey toward the right path.
The program is part of continuing efforts of the government to end insurgency in the country and in support of Executive Order No. 70 or the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) and the call for unity for lasting peace of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ R. Marcos, Jr. (NCRPO/PIA-NCR)
