A top official of the Philippine Army in Negros Island urged the remaining members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) here to surrender.
Brig. Gen. Inocencio Pasaporte, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade based in Murcia town, issued the call anew on Friday after two cadres of the NPA’s Northern Negros Front surrendered to the 79th Infantry Battalion in Sagay City, Negros Occidental and another rebel from the Central Negros Front yielded to the 94th Infantry Battalion in Ayungon, Negros Oriental earlier this week.
“We are calling on those still hiding in the mountains to lay down their arms and avail of the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP),” he said.
Pasaporte added the Negrenses and the troops in Negros are much willing to accept those who decide to yield and embrace peace in the mainstream society.
The Army official said the recent surrenders show the CPP-NPA is falling apart and those who have abandoned the armed struggle made the best decision of becoming productive and law-abiding citizens.
The two who surrendered to the 79IB said they were abused by their leaders, faced hardships in the mountains, and lost confidence in their cause, prompting them to leave and pursue the path to peace and be with their loved ones again.
Both are now in military custody while they are processing the documents to avail of the benefits from the government.
Under the E-CLIP, a former rebel is entitled to receive immediate assistance of PHP15,000; livelihood assistance, PHP50,000; firearms remuneration, PHP12,000 to PHP500,000; half-way house assistance; PhilHealth enrollment and medical assistance; education assistance; housing assistance; legal assistance; and healing and reconciliation initiatives.
The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
The Anti-Terrorism Council also formally designated the National Democratic Front as a terrorist organization on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and separate part” of the CPP-NPA that was created in April 1973. (PNA)
Source: Philippines News Agency
