Davao de Oro – 26 Former regular New People’s Army members that include top leaders under the guerilla front 33 (GF33) receive overwhelming support and assistance from Davao Region governors and chief executives in a press conference last December 17, 2020, during the presentation of firearms and rebel returnees held at 1001st Brigade in Maco, Davao De Oro following their voluntary surrender to the Army last December 14, 2020, that lead to the total dismantling of GF33.
Davao De Oro Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy together with Davao Del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib, Davao Oriental Governor and Regional Peace and Order Council Chair Nelson Dayanghirang, Davao Del Norte 1st District Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez, and New Corella, Davao De Oro Mayor Jorjan Federiso extends their support to the surrenderees by providing cash, livelihood, and food assistance to the surrenderees.
Gov. Jubahib, together with Gov. Uy, and Mayor Federiso respectively gave livelihood assistance, food packs, hygiene kits, and ₱ 10,000 to each the surrenderees. Meanwhile, Rep. Alvarez offered a scholarship program, free hospitalization, and medical assistance to the FRs.
Gov. Uy said it will coordinate with Gov. Jubahib to further augment the needs of the FRs while waiting for the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-Clip) assistance of the 26 returnees.
“This is the manifestation that the whole of the nation approach is working. We want to prove to you that we are sincere despite the propaganda against the government, give us a chance,” Gov. Uy added.
While Gov. Jubahib commends the surrenderees for leaving the armed conflict and choosing peace as it fast tracks the implementation of government projects towards geographically isolated disadvantaged areas in the region formerly influenced by the terrorist group.
Former Guerilla Front 33 Secretary alias Kaloy express his gratitude for the government’s support of their surrender while affirming the good treatment they are experiencing under the folds of the law. Kaloy also exposed the corruption inside the New People’s Army as well as confirming the connection of the Makabayan Bloc supporting the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
“The income of GF33 from extortion activities under Commander Hyper and Marlon reaches to ₱ 220, 000 but when the time I took the command, they only gave me ₱ 90, 000,” Kaloy said.
He exposed that their extortion income comes from politicians and party lists allied or not seeking a permit to campaign and to win, as well as businesses like bus, van companies, as well as banana plantations.
Kaloy added that the NPA has a policy under Sub region 4 that all ₱ 50, 000 collections will be given to the regional committee while lower collections are claimed to the sub-region groups like guerilla front 33.
Meanwhile, Kaloy exposed the connection of Makabayan Bloc supporting the CPP while refuting the claim of the Makabayan Bloc that they are fake surrenderees presented by the military.
“Nakita nako diri nga nisulod kay si Pedro Arnado sa Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas ilalom sa Anakpawis nga member sab sa Regional Peasant Bureau. Pero nakabalo mi nga ang Makabayan Bloc apil ang Alliance of Concerned Teachers, Bayan Muna, Gabriela, ug Kabataan Partylist sila mga member sa partido komunista sa Pilipinas ubos sa central committee.” Kaloy added.
Kaloy also identified several surrendered firearm’s rebel owners among their front to solidify their claim as legitimate rebel returnees.
On the other hand, local chief executives commended the troops of the Philippine Army on the total dismantling of the 20-year old GF33 operating between Davao Del Norte and De Oro through the series of focused military operations and community support programs of the 25 Infantry Battalion (25IB) and 60th Infantry Battalion (60IB) that lead to fifteen (15) recovered firearms.
Last December 12, troops of the 25IB clashed with GF33 that resulted in the death of one NPA Amazon and the yield of alias Brando, and Mawi along with their three high-powered firearms.
On the following day, GF33 top leader’s alias KHAN, Commanding Officer, alias Denden, Secretary, and alias Marlou surrendered to the 25IB. The move of GF33’s leaders sparked the surrender of eleven (11) more NPA regulars while 60IB also brought four (4) NPA’s to surrender.
Eastern Mindanao Command Commander Lt. Gen Jose Faustino noted in his speech the huge significance of the surrender of the top leaders of GF33 and its impact on other rebels while praising the success of the community support programs.
“Today we have the local peace engagements, our local chief executives down to the barangay level. Instead of talking to the national level, we are now talking to the level of the fronts. Look how effective it is, we all know there’s no progress with the talks on the national level with the recent peace talks.” Lt. Gen Faustino added.
Meanwhile, Davao Region guvs and local chief executives vow to continue their peace efforts and their support to the former rebels while calling for unity towards peace and development despite the onslaught of the pandemic.
(DPAO 10th ID | OIC Michael Manguhig, RPN DXKT Davao)