THE Department of National Defense official reiterated government’s offer to members of the New People’s Army (NPA) to surrender as the communist rebel group marked its 53rd foundation anniversary yesterday.
Defense Undersecretary Reynaldo Mapagu, also chairman of “Task Force Balik Loob,” expressed belief the rebels are themselves victims of propaganda by their leaders
“As the communist terrorist group (CTG) marks this day of infamy, we take this opportunity to encourage the remaining active members to turn their backs on the NPA’s life of violence and hardship, and return to their families,” said Mapagu.
“The government is here and ready to assist you in starting anew,” Mapagu added.
The military is aiming to end the communist insurgency before the end of the term of President Duterte in June this year. The NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, has about 2,500 fighters, assigned with 41 guerrilla fronts throughout the country, as of January this year.
Mapagu said the rebels should surrender and avail themselves of the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) for their re-integration to the mainstream society.
“Our reintegration program provides them with tangible solutions to their grievances, of which decades of lies and empty promises of the CTG have never been able to provide or solve. We hope that they will not waste this opportunity,” he said.
Task Force Balik Loob executive Navy Capt. Ferdinand Buscano earlier said about 20,000 rebels and supporters have surrendered from July 2016 to November 2016 and availed themselves of the E-CLIP.
Mapagu, whose task force is overseeing the implementation of the E-CLIP, said he is hoping that the momentum in bringing back NPA rebels to the fold of law will continue.
“Instead of a grim reminder of the death and destruction caused by the NPA, today is a celebration of peace and freedom for former rebels,” said Mapagu, a former Army chief and AFP vice chief.
In Albay, meanwhile, an NPA rebel died and two others were captured by government troops in Oas town on Sunday, the Camarines Sur-based Army’s 9th Infantry Division said.
Troops from the Army’s 49th Infantry Battalion and Bicol policemen were conducting combat operation when they clashed with an undetermined number of rebels in Barangay Badbad at around 5 a.m.
The military said the operation was launched after residents reported the presence of the rebels in their community.
The rebels retreated after a 20-minute fighting, leaving behind the body of their slain comrade, two M16 rifles, two anti-personnel mines, anti-vehicle mine, bomb components, among others.
Soldiers manning a blocking post clashed with the fleeing rebels in Barangay Bangiawon, also in Oas town, moments later, leading to the capture of two of the rebels.
