FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija — A new batch consisting of 27 supporters of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Nueva Ecija voluntarily surrendered to the folds of the government.
The surrenderees, which include two minors, are members of the Underground Mass Organization under Komiteng Larangang Gerilya Sierra Madre.
“They surrendered last Tuesday, November 12, in Sitio Malidhi, Barangay Minuli, Carranglan town. This was possible through the help of the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company of the Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office and the Barangay Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict of Minuli. The combined efforts of these agencies & instrumentalities ensured the smooth surrender of the underground mass supporters,” 84th Infantry Battalion Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Honorato S. Pascual Jr said.
“We will continue to work with local government units and the different sectors of the society. We will provide livelihood projects and capacity development programs that will prevent them (the youth and cultural minorities) from being tricked once again by the unscrupulous acts of the NPA,” Pascual added.
In a statement, Army 7th Infantry Division Commander Major General Lenard T. Agustin said he is glad of the series of surrenders that have been taking place in the provinces under his area of responsibility.
“It is very alarming that communist terrorist groups are exploiting vulnerable minorities, especially the youth sector. We are countering these activities by enhancing our information drives, working hand-in-hand with other agencies and local government units, using the whole-of-nation approach. The Barangay Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict of Minuli has done well. It must be aggressive in making other mass supporters see the light as we cannot just stand by and let the NPA influence the youth. It is their children at stake here,” Agustin added.
