CAMP CAPINPIN, Tanay, Rizal-Eight New People’s Army (NPA) militias surrendered at Barangay Benli, Bulalacao in Oriental Mindoro last Sunday by localized negotiation composed of local government agencies including the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Army Lt. Col. Alexander Arbolado, Commanding Officer of the 4th Infantry Battalion (4IB) identified the NPA rebels as alias Tikling, alias Damang, alias Urang, alias Malata, alias Kagang, alias Birjak, alias Udang, and alias RJay.
“They belong to the NPA’s Kilusang Larangang Gerilya MAV who used to play a key role in the underground movement’s terroristic activities in the hinterland communities of the province,” said Arbolado.
Colonel Jose Augusto Villareal, Commander of the 203rd Brigade said that the surrenders came from the conflict-affected localities that are also the designated convergence areas of the government’s whole of nation approach to defeat insurgency.
“Our intensified information campaign regarding the terrorists’ deception and the government’s E-CLIP convinced these militias to turn their backs from the underground movement and, instead, chose to lead a peaceful life with their families,” he added.
Major General Greg Almerol, Commander of the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division which has operational jurisdiction over Southern Tagalog, admired the former rebels, calling them, “heroes of modern times whose act of turning their backs from the armed struggle is a crucial step in attaining a just and lasting peace in our beloved country.”
He lauded the local government units and the security forces for the display of teamwork and maintaining a seamless relationship in accomplishing urgent task in sending these NPA terrorists toward their irreversible collapse so that the citizens could move forward and prosper as a nation.
The mass surrender in the area was the localized peace negotiation in provincial government in line with President Duterte’s intent to End-Local Communist Armed Conflict in MIMARO Provinces and ending of five-decade insurgency from the grassroots.
Surenderees will undergo the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program or E-CLIP, each former rebel will receive 15,000 cash assistance provided by the national government.
They are also eligible for additional compensations in the form of educational grants, health services, employment, and housing among others.
As of this date, The Army’s 2nd Infantry Division has a total of 234 militias who voluntarily surrendered to the security forces, raising the number of total NPA surrender to 674 since E-CLIP was implemented in 2016 in Southern Tagalog.