The joint efforts of the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC), 48th and 7th Infantry Battalion (IB) of the Philippine Army and the Bulacan Police Provincial Office (PPO) persistent campaign on anti-terrorism resulted to the voluntary denouncement and withdrawal of support to Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) of 451 ‘Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap’ or “Kadamay” mass base returnees on Thursday morning.
The presentation, oathtaking and signing of the mass base returnees was held in Atlantica Pandi 2 Resettlement Area in Barangay Mapulang Lupa in Pandi, Bulacan.
Present in the said event were Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando; Brig. Gen Andrew Costelo, Brigade Commander of 703 Bde, 7IB; Lt Col. Felix Valdez, Battalion Commander of the 48IB; Pandi Mayor Enrico Roque; Police Col Soliva, PRO3 representative; Bulacan PNP director Police Col. Lawrence Cajipe and other members of the regional and provincial ELCAC.
The Kadamay returnees’ oath taking was led by their leader Lolita De Jesus, former president of Kadamay Villa Luis resettlement site in Barangay Siling Bata and witnessed by Fernando as head of the Provincial Task Force-ELCAC.
After the oath and signing, the members of Kadamay as proof of their withdraw of support and dennouncing the leftist group, they burned the CPP-NPA’s flag in front of the militaries and government officials.
Some 85 members from the AFP and PNP personnel were deployed during the event.
The governor said, the continuous Local Peace Engagement activities of the provincial government and local municipality of Pandi, PNP and Philippine Army such as information dissemination, situational interview, made the Kadamays aware of the government programs and the opportunity to change their lives and correct the mistakes they have committed due to deception.
Meanwhile, Gov. Fernando said, the Kadamay’s decision to support the government is the best move for their part to avail the provincial government’s program.
He added that the provincial government is implementing sustainable livelihood programs as well as scholarship programs for people like them as well as rebel returnees.
The governor ensures the provision of social services, employment opportunities and improved quality of life.
In the part of Cajipe, he said the Bulacan police together with the RTF-ELCAC and the AFP will remain committed to secure, ensure and implement law and order – all for the well-being of the Filipino and for their future generations.
For his part, Pandi Mayor Roque said that since the Kadamay invaded the relocation sites in 2017, in his term it was the 2nd batch of Kadamay group who voluntarily surrendered and announced their support to the government.
Nearly a year ago, some 185 Kadamay members surrendered and withdrew their support against the youth-receuitment of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in eleven resettlement site in Pandi, Bulacan through the effort of Mayor Roque and the local police station.
“Masaya ako dahil meron tayo nahihikayat na katulad nila para magbalik-loob sa gobyerno pero nakakalungkot dahil meron pa rin mga nabubulagan sa maling paniniwala ng mga iilan na lamang natitirang Kadamay,” said Mayor Roque.
IN PHOTO: Some 451 members of the KAlipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (KADAMAY) took their oath of non-support to the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) as they burnt (inset) the rebels’ flag as proof of their withdraw of support and dennouncing its activities against the government. (ELOI SAMONTE)