At least 1,500 former members of various front organizations with links to the communist movement have sworn allegiance to the government, an official said Tuesday.
They swore allegiance to the government, and at the same time denounced the corrupt practices, deceit and human rights violations committed by the communist leaders, said Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, head of Public Affairs at the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
He said the 1,500 were from the CPP-NPA front organizations Anakpawis. Bayan Muna, Kadamay, Caguimungan, Anakbayan, Gabriela and Makabayan in Cagayan.
“This is what true progress really means, that we all come together in unity despite our differing beliefs and backgrounds,” said Army Chief Macairog Alberto.
“We hope that this show of solidarity will convince more of our countrymen who may have been misled by false promises to return to the folds of the law.”
Meanwhile, pieces of evidence and other materials showing how some militant groups are linked to communist rebels might be submitted on Wednesday to the Department of Foreign Affairs, an official said Monday night.
“We hope to submit it Wednesday. There are a lot of witnesses. There are 20 for now but more than 100 want to give their statement,” Brig. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr. said in a message to the Philippine News Agency.
“Many more affidavits are coming from the field.”
Zagala said most of the members lambasted the CPP-NPA for abandoning them after gaining their trust and support.
“They created issues so they could deceive is into joining them. They endeavored to gain our trust and support and then abandoned us when they
no longer had use for us. We thought they would truly help us,” said Zagala quoting the disappointment of a certain Berna.
Zagala said the members’ discontent with the CPP-NPA had prompted them to return their support to the government, which they described as sincere .
“That is why we are pledging our allegiance back to the government because we know it is sincere and ready to welcome us despite our shortcomings, said Zagala quoted Berna as saying.
Zagala also said the entire CPP-NPA supporters decided to leave the group due to their exploitation.
“Our leaders were more concerned with their money-making schemes rather than the true plight of the lowly members such as myself, Zagala quoted another member as saying.
“We laud them for voluntarily proclaiming their support to the government. It has been the desire of the Armed Forces all along to reintegrate them back to society. We are truly grateful to them for trusting us and giving peace a chance”, said Brigadier General Alden Juan Masagca, commander of the 5th Infantry Division that oversees the military operations in Cagayan Valley and the Cordillera Administrative Region.
The 1,500 participated in the flag-raising ceremony on Monday at the Cagayan Provincial Capitol attended by military and local government officials.
Meanwhile, the CPP-NPA terrorists operating in Eastern Mindanao continued to suffer setbacks as troops battled them for the past three days in the hinterlands of Compostella Valley.
At least 15 NPA fighters have so far been killed in separate skirmishes with troops from the 28th Infantry Battalion and 3rd Special Forces Battalion since the fighting started last week. With PNA