BARANGAY TAMBO, AYUNGON, Negros Oriental – SOME 200 former Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) mass supporters from Barangay Mahalang, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental made their oath of allegiance to the government on December 19, 2020 at Mahalang National High School with Barangay Mahalang Chairperson Hon. Aileen Vasquez as the presiding official.
Barangay Officials also made a resolution declaring the NPA as persona non grata in the said barangay.
The 200 former CNN mass supporters are from the villages of Canluki, Dobol Yarding, Yunit 1, Florido, Dao, Baclayan and 500IB, all of Barangay Mahalang.
According to 94IB Commander Ltc Angelo S Guzman, key to the surrender is the active participation and support of Brgy. Mahalang Chairperson and Council Members to the Army’s Community Support Program (CSP), conducted by 94IB and 11IB CSP Teams, immersed in the said barangay since October 2020.
Also present to witness the activity were Dr. Jose Rey Tamparong of the City Veterinarian Office, Himamaylan City Chief of Police Major Romeo Vargas, and 94IB Charlie Company Commander 1Lt. Jovirey Tano.
Hon. Vasquez said, the CSP made her constituents realize the sincerity of the government in its peace and development efforts.
For the past decades, Barangay Mahalang has been a traditional area for the CNTs movement, logistics, and recruitment.
Col. Leonardo Pena, Commander, 302nd Infantry Brigade, stated that when hundreds of former NPA Supporters take a stand against the terrorist group, it is an indication that the governments concerted efforts to achieve peace, security, and progress are effectively felt even by those in the hinterlands.
On that fateful afternoon of December 19, 2020, Christmas came early to the residents of the said barangay as hundreds of Philippine flags were waived triumphantly to mark this event. “From here onwards, three stars and a sun; is the only flag that will be raised in these villages – nothing else,” Pena added.