ILOILO – Nearly a hundred residents from five mountainous villages in the municipality of Miag-ao gathered yesterday at the town plaza to condemn the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) that marked its 53rd anniversary.
According to Miag-ao deputy police chief, Police Lieutenant Lonelyn Palamillo, the residents were from Banga Buyo, Alimodias, Tiglawa, Maduyo, and Tigmarabo. They gathered at the public plaza.
Three former rebels shared their experiences in the underground movement such as the constant hunger and the cruelty of their leaders, among other hardships they went through.
The residents also torched the CPPs flag – a symbolic act of not welcoming the rebels to their villages.
“Ang ginawa nila showed na ayaw ng ating mga kababayan, lalo na dyan sa Miag-ao, sa NPA. Maganda naman na namulat na ang mga tao tungkol sa masamang ginagawa ng rebelde sa kanila,” said Brigadier General Marion Sison of the Philippine Army’s 301st Brigade based in Camp Hernandez, Dingle town said what the residents in five barangays did was brave.
He added: “We urge them to surrender and stop recruiting innocent minors kasi may magang kinabukasan pa sila,” Sison said.
Meanwhile, Major General Benedict Arevalo of the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) said they have been on full alert since last week.
“We have enough soldiers in the field kahit walang break basta we ensure the safety of the people and maintain peace and order.
“Kung hindi natin napigilan ang kanilang pagpupulong sa barangay Alimodias, Miag-ao, baka may masama naman silang gagawin,” Arevalo said.
On Dec. 1, to prevent an alleged plan of the NPA rebels to attack a military patrol base in the municipality of Miag-ao, the Philippine Army launched a preemptive strike on a rebel encampment in the town’s hinterland sitio of Burak in Barangay Alimodias beginning 6 a.m. yesterday.
Sixteen suspected rebels were killed./PN
