Insurgent supporters surrender
The surrenderers also bonded together to form the Alangalang Integrated Peace and Development Workers Association, the local chapter of Integrated Peace and Development Workers Association
ALANGALANG, Leyte — At least 93 members of four farmers’ associations in this town believed to be front organizations of the Communist Party of the Philippines formally surrendered to the government on Friday.
The farmers were members of Alangalang Small Farmers Association, Salvacion Coconut Farmers Association, Alyansa han Gugti na Asosasyon han Parag uma han Tabanguhay and Bigaa Samahan han Gugti nga Parag uma han Asosasyon ngan Katirig-uban ha Alang-alang.
The groups were believed to be under the Alangalang Seksyon Komite, Regional White Area Committee, Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee of the CPP and the New People’s Army.
In a simple ceremony attended Leyte Governor Jericho Petilla, Alangalang Mayor Lovell Ann Yu, Eustacio Bacabac of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency and 802nd Infantry Brigade Commander Brig. Gen. Noel Vestuir, the 93 farmers formally declare their withdrawal of support to the communist group and take their oath of allegiance to the government.
The surrenderers also bonded together to form the Alangalang Integrated Peace and Development Workers Association, the local chapter of Integrated Peace and Development Workers Association which is an organization formed by former NPA members supporters in the region.
“While the provinces of Leyte, Southern Leyte and Biliran are generally peaceful, we have to sustain our efforts to totally eradicate the connections of the CPP-NPA-NDF from their former affiliated mass organizations in the urban area,” Vestuir said. “We have to free our people from their influence and exploitation and put a stop to their propaganda and fund generation scheme.”
“I reiterate my call to the NPA remnants who are still hiding in the mountains to go down, lay down your arms, join your families and loved ones and enjoy a safe, peaceful, and happy life in the mainstream of our society,” he added.