THE surrender of 25 communist rebels last Saturday, March 2, in Sagay City will surely weaken the strength and armed capability of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in Negros Island, the Philippine Army official said.
Major General Dinoh Dolina, commander of 3rd Infantry Division, in a statement, said the CPP-NPA in Negros Occidental suffered a big blow after 25 of its members with assorted firearms surrendered to the Army's 79th Infantry Battalion; 6th Special Action Battalion-Special Action Force and 1st Negros Occidental Provincial Mobile Force Company of the Philippine National Police in 79th Infantry Battalion Headquarters, Barangay Bato, Sagay City on Saturday.
He said it is also a strong indication of continued downfall of the communist terrorist group.
“We are expecting the demise of the group very soon,” he added.
After months of localized peace talks and negotiations, the 25 members of the NPA operating in the tri-boundaries of Murcia, Don Salvador Benedicto and San Carlos returned to the folds of the law in Sagay City on March 2.
The former rebels also took their oath of allegiance during the ceremony, expressing their peaceful return to society.
They are entitled of Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-clip) such as P15, 000 immediate assistance; P50, 000 livelihood aid; P12, 000 to P500, 000 firearms remuneration; also assistance in the following: PhilHealth enrollment and medical; half-way house; education; housing; legal; and healing and reconciliation initiatives.
“With the surrender of 25 communist terrorists, we are expecting snowball of surrenderers in Western Visayas. It will create drastic demoralization among the remaining members of the communist terrorist group that will certainly encourage them to surrender,” Dolina said.
The military official reiterated his call to the remaining members of the CPP-NPA to abandon the armed struggle, return to the folds of the law, and back into the mainstream society.
“Come down, and avail the E-clip for you to start a new and peaceful life,” Dolina said.