TACLOBAN CITY– At least 56 former members of the communist armed wing, the New People’s Army(NPA), have surrendered to the military on Wednesday (March 29), further weakening the remaining numbers of the rebels in Leyte province.
Aside from the regular armed members, 65 of their civilian supporters have also yielded to them, B/ Gen. Noel Vestuir, the brigade commander of the 802nd Infantry Brigade based in Ormoc City, said.
Their withdrawal of support and condemnation from the communist group, he added, is a sincere manifestation of their commitment to be part of the whole of the nation approach to end the local communist armed conflict.
“I expressed my deep appreciation on the courage shown by the former rebels and mass supporters in openly condemning the CPP-NPA-NDF’s 54-years of terrorism that caused prolonged sufferings and destruction of life and properties of our people,” Vestuir added.
The military official then called on the remaining rebels and their supporters to return to the folds of the law and enjoy the programs and benefits given to them as former enemies of the state.
“You better avail the benefits of the government’s Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), and live a peaceful and decent lives with your families and loved ones,” Vestuir said.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
