About 20 alleged members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) surrendered to the government in Daet, Camarines Norte on Monday.
It was almost 10 days after the bloody encounter of the 2nd Police Mobile Force Company with about 40 rebels in Brgy Dumagmang in Labo town, Camarines Norte that left 5 policemen dead and 2 others injured on the night of March 19.
In front of the authorities, the “surrenderers” took off their green t-shirts with the CPP-NPA stamp printed on them and signed the manifesto as a sign of their renunciation of several years of uprising against the government.
The activity burned an NPA effigy and flag, flew pigeons, waved the Philippine flag, and surrendered their weapons.
The only woman in the group was given the opportunity to kiss the child before the message and oath of allegiance by Camarines Norte Governor Edgardo Tallado.
Col Jaime Abawag, Commander of the 902nd Brigade, 9th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army acknowledged the heroism of the police and soldiers killed in clashes between the military and rebels in the Bicol Region.
20 alleged members of CPP-NPA surrender in Camarines Norte
The government has assured that assistance from the enhanced comprehensive local integration program will be provided as soon as possible so that the surrendered rebels can start their new lives.
But for Romulo Jallores Command-NPA-Bicol spokesperson Raymundo Buenfuerza, the government’s alleged gimmicks against the CPP-NPA are not the solution to the country’s big problems.
“Ang mga PNG (persona non-grata) declaration at iba pang pakulo ng NTF-ELCAC ay naglalagay sa panganib ng buhay ng mamamayan. Hindi solusyon ang PNG declaration at mga pakulo ng NTF-ELCAC sa kagutuman, kahirapan, kawalan ng lupa, kawalan ng trabaho at iba pang problemang kinakaharap ng masang Bicolano.”
In February, President Rodrigo Duterte granted amnesty to members of communist groups and other rebel organizations who committed crimes punishable under the Revised Penal Code and Special Penal Laws in connection with their political beliefs.
House Concurrent Resolutions 12, 13, 14, and 15 respectively support the grant of amnesty to members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP-RPA-ABB), and the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG).