CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Benjamin Acorda Jr. spearheaded the oath of allegiance ceremony for 43 former members of the Communist Terrorist Group-New People’s Army (CTG-NPA) at the Police Regional Office (PRO)-10 Headquarters, Camp Vicente Alagar, July 8.

16 voluntarily surrendered high-powered firearms by the former CTG-NPA members were presented, including seven M16 rifles, three M14 rifles, three CZ rifles, two caliber.45 pistols, and a caliber.50 improvised sniper rifle.

The said Former Rebels (FRs) will undergo evaluation, psychological assistance, and skills capacity-building training through the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) to accelerate their reintegration into mainstream society.

Acorda underscored the importance of sustaining former President Rodrigo Duterte’s Executive Order (EO) 70, or the whole-of-nation approach in Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC), to achieve long-lasting sustainable peace and inclusive development.

"Our collaboration and teamwork have been instrumental in these accomplishments. Together, we have prevented these firearms from falling further into the wrong hands and endangering the lives of our fellow Filipinos," Acorda said. (VPSB/PIA-10)