NPA exodus continues in Bukidnon
IMPASUGONG, Bukidnon-Members of the New Peoples Army (NPA) continue their exodus as another five surrendered on November 25 and yielded their firearms to the Community Support Program (CSP) Teams of the 8th Infantry Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army.
On November 23, ten “Militia ng Bayan” and four regular NPA members also voluntarily yielded to the government bringing with them 12 different kinds of firearms and a hand grenade.
The NPA surrenderees also belong to the Sub-Regional Committee (SRC) 2, North Central Mindanao Regional Command (NCMRC) doing threats in Cabanglasan, Bukidnon.
The promotion of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local
Integration Program (E-CLIP) of the government by the CSP Teams and the continuous military operation played big roles in their surrender.
They were informed of the benefits under the E-CLIP and that they will be enrolled after completing a series of interviews from the Army and the E-CLIP Committee.
“I received information about the ECLIP - that it is a program of the government intended for us so I decided to yield as the others did,” said Alias Branch, 31, a former Squad Leader of SRC 2.
He also ashared that while he was with the NPA, they were always evading the army troopers operating in the area and getting information on the activities of the security forces was hard since the masses have withdrawn their support from the NPA.
“I am expecting more NPA members to surrender as we intensify our combat operation and CSP immersion. We will not allow them to rest until they choose to surrender,” said Lieutenant Colonel Ronald Illana, commanding officer of the 8th Infantry Battalion.
He also reiterated his call on the remaining members of the SRC2, NCMRC to surrender now to the CSP Teams in their community because the government is there ready to help then.
In just one week, the 8th Infantry Battalion has recorded 19 NPA surrenders who are still in the process of completing their interviews before their enrolment to the ECLIP.