Army 2nd Infantry Division Acting Commander Rommel K. Tello said the remaining rebels will soon realize that nothing can be gain from staying with the Communist Terrorist Group but senseless death
QUEZON CITY, March 31 (PIA) -- As the number of NPAs surrendering rises in Southern Tagalog, the remaining rebels will soon realize that nothing can be gain from staying with the Communist Terrorist Group but senseless death, a top military officer said on Monday.
“The rebels are now seeing all the deceptions of the NPA, they have been coerced to join the terrorist group, they have suffered more as combatants, and they failed to receive any support from the group, completely demoralizing their ranks and allowing them to see and follow the path to a better life before they run out of time,” said Army 2nd Infantry Division Acting Commander Rommel K. Tello in a statement.
Twenty-nine NPA terrorists were killed in legitimate encounters and 58 terrorists captured in law enforcement operations since 2020.
Brigadier General (BGen) Tello’s pronouncements came after five more rebels operating in Quezon, Laguna and Rizal laid down their weapons a few days earlier.
In an interview, surrenderee JM said the NPA’s disregard for their welfare and the hardship they have experienced as rebels made them abandoned the armed struggle with the hope of joining comrades who have returned to the fold of the law and now living normal lives.
BGen Tello is confident that successful local peace efforts and intensified operations will further reduce the terrorists’ ranks.
Seven hundred and two NPAs surrendered to the government since 2016: 393 have availed of the government’s reintegration program while 309 are on the process.
Five provinces including Cavite were declared as insurgency-free (absence of recorded NPA violence for at least a year) on December 4, 2018; Romblon on February 21, 2019; Marinduque on March 26, 2019; and Laguna on September 26, 2019. (LP)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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