TARLAC CITY — About 235 members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Regions 1,2,3 and Cordillera returned to the folds of government last February 2021.
Returnees include 10 regular NPA members with 5 of their firearms; 123 Milisya ng Bayan; 2 Sangay sa Partido ng Lokalidad; and 100 party members from the different NPA-affiliated mass organizations.
“They are currently undergoing processing of requirements to avail the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP),”
Armed Forces of the Philippines Northern Luzon Command Commander Lt.Gen. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr. said.
Last January 2021, a total of 87 rebels surrendered. They now await the release of their respective E-CLIP grants.
Burgos said the growing number of surrenders each month indicates the nearing end of the already dwindling forces of the NPA.
“Communist terrorists in Northern and Central Luzon are now crumbling and are nearing their total destruction, as more of their members realize the deceptions and manipulative ploys of their leaders who recruited them and used them do further their personal agenda,” he said.
The official attributed the mass surrenders to the active support and collaboration of local government units and the community through the whole-of-nation approach.
“We are elated to know that here in Northern and Central Luzon, local government units and the community continue to embrace their active role in the fight to totally eradicate the communist terrorists. Indeed, the whole-of-nation approach is making headways in our campaign to end the local communist armed conflict in this part of our country,” he said.
Burgos reiterated his call to the remaining members of NPA to abandon their armed struggle.
“There is no better time to lay down their arms and abandon their false ideology but now. The government’s thrust for genuine peace is on its peak. They should grab the opportunity while they can, for the sake of their families who have been longing for peaceful and prosperous lives with them,” he emphasized.