ILOILO City – More than 500 New People’s Army (NPA) supporters in Panay Island surrendered in five months.
Records by the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID), from January to May this year listed 510 Militia ng Bayan (People’s Militia) surrenders to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP), vowing to stop rebel support.
Of the 510 individuals, 75 originally came from Capiz province, while 435 were from Iloilo.
According to 3ID leader Brigadier General Eric Vinoya, the massive surrenders of supporters and rebels showed their success and a possible to communist insurgency in the region.
Vinoya added that more supporters and active members of the rebels are expected to surrender.
“Kung ayaw nilang sumuko, di mamatay sila sa operations. If I were them, sususko na sila at mag avail ng mga programa ng gobeyerno for them to start a new life and makapiling na nila ang kanilang pamilya at wala ng patayan para sa mapayapang bansa,” Vinoya said.
On May 24, 70 NPA supporters surrendered to the Philippine Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion (61IB) in Miag-ao.
The surrendering men came from the towns of Miag-ao, Tubungan, Leon, and San Joaquin where communist militia operate.
Over 70 firearms with ammunition were turned over.
These former NPA supporters appeared in the Community Support Programs (CSP) held by the PNP and the Philippine Army in their respective barangays.
They also signed judicial affidavits affirming their previous connection with the NPA.
These documents could then be used to support the legal offensive efforts of the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict 6 (RTF-ELCAC 6) against the NPA.
Meanwhile, Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) director, Police Colonel Gilbert Gorero, said the surrender of these supporters is a testament to the government’s gaining ground in NPA affected barangays.
“Our massive information drive through the CSP has made these people aware that the government never left them out; and it was the rebels who deceived them through misinformation,” Gorero said.
Gorero also commended these former supporters for coming out and signifying their interest and commitment in returning to the government.
“The government has beautiful plans for NPA infested barangays and the residents therein, and these plans could not be materialized if the people remain in deception and do not trust the government,” he said./PN
