SOME 54 New People’s Army members and supporters in Cordillera surrendered to the authorities to avail of the government’s comprehensive program. In a report to Philippine National Police chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos, 10 of the 54 are NPA supporters in Apayao, Benguet and Ifugao provinces.
“The 10 decided to pull out their support to the CPP-NPA movement following talks with police and military officers in the three provinces and after being convinced by local barangay officials and their families,” Brig. Gen. Ronald Lee said.
He said six of the 10 – three males and three females in their 50s- were former members of the Militia ng Bayan under the NPA’s Kilusang Larangang Gerilya operating in Cagayan and Apayao. Three other former Militia ng Bayan members from the NPA’s KLG-North Abra also yielded to local authorities.
The three are composed of two males and one female, the eldest of them 58-years-old and the youngest 38. The one who surrendered in Ifugao is a 56-year-old former KLG-Ifugao members, who also turned over subversive documents, assorted clothes and medical kits being used by their group.
The official said that three of the NPA members who surrendered to Benguet authorities last week received cash aid under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program or E-CLIP of the government.
Meanwhile, 41 members of the Kasigudan Aywanan Takderan Binangun di Kabunian Organizaiton or KATABIKO withdrew their support to the CPP-NPA following a series of talks with local police and military officials. The 41 declared their rejection of the CPP-NPA and pledged their allegiance to the government during simple ceremonies held in Tadian, Mountain Province.