BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines – Four Red fighters of designated-terror group Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army gave up to soldiers of the 62nd Battalion in the Central Negros town of Isabela during the recent founding anniversary of the NPA on 29 March 2023.
The Army said the four realized they had “no future” with the “Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs).”
Captain Mervin Rosal, 303rd Brigade civil military officer, also said in a dispatch that the four Red fighters, whose names he did not disclose, gave up to to 62nd commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel William Pesase Jr at the 62nd’s advance command post in the village of McKinley in Guihulngan, a city in Negros Oriental province more than 100 kilometers north of here.
The rest of the release reads:
The surrender was witnessed by the a representative from the Guihulngan City Task Force-ELCAC (GCTF-ELCAC) headed by Mayor Filomeno L Reyes.
The surrenderees, whose true identities are temporarily withheld for their safety, were currently at the custody of the 62IB as they will undergo profiling, validation and debriefing in order to officially avail the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
According to them, they are already fed-up with the false promises of the NPA leaders and decided to leave the armed struggle due to internal conflict, lack of medical support and leadership issues within their organization. Most importantly, they would like to avail of the government’s E-CLIP being implemented by the local government for them to start a peaceful and new life together with their families.
Brigade chief, Colonel Orlando Edralin commended the efforts of the 62IB in its aggressive campaign of bringing back our brothers and sisters to the folds of the law. “The cooperation of the people has been a great factor in enlightening many of our brothers of choosing the right path towards peace,” he said. He also added, “We are hoping that more from their group will surrender in the interest of reconciliation for peace and their own development.”
The surrender of the four NPAs is a clear manifestation of their trust in the government, especially in the Army in Negros. It will greatly reduce the strength of the Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs) in Negros Island.
This success is a result of the team effort of the 303rd Brigade, 3ID, PA, together with the 62nd, 94th, and 79th Infantry Battalions, and the PNP and Guihulngan City Task Force-ELCAC (GCTF-ELCAC).
The Philippine Army reminds the public that the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) is still available for those who want to surrender and return to the folds of the law. The government is ready to assist and support them in starting a new life.
