Gigaquit, Surigao del Norte – A total of 271 members of Underground Mass Organizations (UGMO), 17 members of Milisyang Bayan (MB), and 7 members Sangay ng Partido sa Lokalidad (SPL) who used to be supporters and sympathizers of the Communist Party of the Philippines, New People’s Army, and National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) voluntarily withdrew and officially pledged their oath of allegiance to the government.
The UGMO members were identified by the Joint/combined Community Support Teams of 30IB, 58IB, 26IB, and 23IB deployed in Brgy Tapian, Municipality of Mainit, Brgy Karihatag of Malimono, and Brgy Magtangale, Macopa, and Balite of San Francisco, all of Surigao del Norte through the support of Former Rebels (FR).
As a manifestation of withdrawal of support, UGMO members signed the wall of commitment showing their full support in declaring the CPP-NPA Terrorist (CNTs) as Persona Non-Grata followed by the ceremonial burning of the CPP-NPA flag to denounce the futile struggle of the Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs) during the series of assemblies conducted on the said barangays.
Moreover, the immersion of the Community Support Program (CSP) within these Barangays aided 30IB to discover and capture several war materials such as one (1) 5.56 M16 rifle and one (1) M79 grenade launcher, two (2) Anti-tank Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and subversive documents.
Lt. Col. Ryan Charles G Callanta, Commanding Officer of 30IB expressed his gratitude to the former members of Underground Mass Organizations (UGMOs) for voluntarily taking their oath and allegiance to the government. “We are thankful that these people previously deceived by the NPA’s heeded our call for peace and enable the government machineries to facilitate the delivery of basic services as catalyst for progress and development.
Further, He explained that CTGs are professional swindlers who took advantage of the people and laid out snares of deception promising nothing but pain and pointless struggles. “We are positive that more NPA members and supporters will follow the lead of their comrades and will choose to live a better and peaceful life”, Lt. Col. Callanta added.
