Many NPAs surrender to military due to starvation, fear: AFP

March 5, 2019

Many members of the New People's Army (NPA) have surrendered due to starvation and fear due to military's operation against them.

In a statement Tuesday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said ''a total of 608 CPP ( Communist Party of the Philippines)-NPA members and supporters surrendered to government troops, 107 of them were regular armed members, 137 are Milisyang Bayan, and 364 are mass supporters.''

On March 3, a certain Jobert Buenaflor alias Toto surrendered to the 39th Infantry Battalion in Columbio, Sultan Kudarat.

Alias Toto said in the initial interview facilitated by the 39th Infantry Battalion, he surrendered due to starvation and fear of the intensified operations done by the military.

A total of 25 NPA members who used to operate in Negros Occidental surrendered to the 23rd Infantry Battalion on March 2. 

“We hope that more members of this group realize that they are fighting for a lost cause, and we call on those remaining members to avail of the E-CLIP (Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program ) and come back to their families to live a free and peaceful life away from violence,” said Col. Noel Detoyato, chief of the AFP Public Affairs Office.

The reintegration assistance is in support to the receiving unit to which the rebels surrendered. These units spend money for the former rebels’ daily meals, mobility, identification cards, papers, and other basic expenses.

The AFP helps provide protection to hundreds of E-CLIP beneficiaries from their former cadres who might deprive them of this opportunity to be with the mainstream society.

“We hope to receive more rebels who want to return to the folds of the law rather than the casualties we record daily in the bloody battlefield.” he added.

The military said it will be on its guard to thwart attacks by the NPA as it prepares to mark its 50th anniversary on March 29.

Brigadier General Lenard Agustin, commander of the 7th Infantry Division, said soldiers “will intensify its security preparations”.

''In most of the provinces in Central Luzon and Northern  Luzon, the number of NPAs has significantly dwindled as evidenced by the series of mass surrenders of former NPAs,'' said Agustin.

Agustin said communist guerrillas “have been successful in terrorizing the people and being a hindrance to local communities and national development.” DMS