49 CPP/NPA Members and Supporters Surrender and Withdraw Support in Rizal

CAVINTI, Laguna – Forty nine (49) members and supporters surrender and withdraw support in Rizal voluntarily surrendered and withdrew their allegiance and support from the CPP-NPA-NDF in coordination and collaboration with the Municipal and Barangay TF-ELCAC during the conduct of Local Peace Engagement with the theme: “Convergence and Unity Towards Peace and Development” held at Brgy Sta Ines, Tanay, Rizal on December 20, 2022.

According to one of the surrenderees, they can no longer support the CPP/NPA after being exploited and given false promises. They came to realize the futility of the armed struggle owing to the government’s numerous programs to alleviate the people’s living conditions. They have also seen their former comrades who surrendered to the government being able to avail themselves of the reintegration program and return to their normal lives peacefully with their families.

Hon Adrenico Zubiaga, Brgy Chairman and Chair of the Barangay TF-ELCAC of Sta Ines, Tanay, Rizal, expressed his gratitude to the members of the Milisyang Bayan and mass support for returning to the folds of the law. He urged them to continue cooperating with the authorities and supporters the government’s programs and initiatives. He also thanked the government forces and other line agencies for their commitment to bringing peace to his barangay and reminded everyone to unite in attaining peace and development in the Province of Rizal.
Brigadier General Cerilo C Balaoro Jr, Commander of the 202nd (Unifier) Brigade, warmly welcomed the surrender of the MB members and withdrawal of support to the CTG of Mass Base Supporters expressing his gratitude as they finally decided to live a peaceful life in hopes of a brighter future.

“Their surrender is also a clear manifestation that the government’s sustained information dissemination and public awareness campaign is well and effectively disseminated in the far-flung areas.” It is also a realization that there is no future waiting for them to be part of the communist terrorist group (CTG), whose goals are only to exploit and destroy families, bring chaos and hamper the development of the community.

He also assured the surrenderees’ safety and urged the remaining CPP-NPA supporters to surrender and avail of the assistance offered by the government through the integration program to help them build a new and normal life with their loved ones.

The highlights of the activity include the oath of allegiance, signing of peace covenant, creation of a people’s organization, burning of the CPP-NPA-NDF flags and distribution of family food packs as Noche Buena packages to the members of MB and Mass Base Supporters.

It can be recalled that for the past two weeks, the 202nd Brigade and its subordinate units spearheaded the conduct of Former Rebel Summit and Livelihood Training in collaboration with other stakeholders in the provinces of Laguna, Cavite, Rizal and northern Quezon, participated by a total of 142 former rebels. (Edjun Mariposque)