AT least 235 members of the New People’s Army (NPA) and their supporters yielded to military forces in Northern Luzon last month as the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Northern Luzon Command (AFP-Nolcom) stepped up its anti-insurgency campaign in a bid to end the presence and influence of rebels in some areas in the northern part of the country.
The record number of surrenderers in February translated to eight or nine cases of surrenders daily, higher than the two or three rebels who yielded to operating forces in Northern Luzon in January, also this year, according to Nolcom commander Lt. Gen. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr.
Among those who have yielded were 10 regular members of the NPA. They also turned over at least five firearms. Also, 123 members of the Milisya ng Bayan, two members of the Sangay sa Partido ng Lokalidad and 100 party members from the different NPA-affiliated mass organizations in Northern and Central Luzon surrendered.
The former rebels and their supporters are currently undergoing processing for their inclusion in government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
Burgos attributed the mass surrenders to the active support and collaboration of local government units and the community in partnership with the military.
“We are elated to know that here in Northern and Central Luzon, the local government units and the community continue to embrace their active role in the fight to totally eradicate the communist terrorists. Indeed, the whole-of-nation approach is making headways in our campaign to end the local communist armed conflict in this part of our country,” he said.
Burgos called on other rebels to take advantage of the government’s peace effort, which is accompanied by assistance for them and their families to start a new life.
“There is no better time to lay down their arms and abandon their false ideology than now. The government’s thrust for genuine peace is at its peak. They should grab the opportunity while they can, for the sake of their families, who have been longing for peaceful and prosperous lives with them,” he said.
Burgos said the growing number of rebel surrenders each month indicated that the communist movement in Northern and Central Luzon is nearing its end.
Nolcom spokesman Major Israel Galorio said that former rebels who yielded in January are already waiting for the release of their respective E-CLIP grants.
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