(FILE) Young New Peoples Army (NPA) rebels stand in formation during the anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) in a town in Misamis Oriental province on Dec. 26, 2016. (Jigger J. Jerusalem)
MANILA, Philippines — At least 55 members of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered as the local communist movement marked the 54th anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) on Monday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Tuesday.
The CPP was founded by Jose Maria Sison who died 10 days earlier while in exiled in the Netherlands. Military officials believe Sison’s death dealt a huge blow to the communist movement.
In a statement, PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said the 55 NPA members were presented during a simple ceremony at the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) headquarters in Camp Bagong Diwa, Bicutan in Taguig City.
With Azurin during the program was NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Jonnel Estomo and officials from the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency and Joint Task Force-NCR.
“These series of surrenders of the former communist rebels resulted from the relentless campaign of our police and military forces against terrorism in support of Executive Order No. 70 to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC),” Azurin said.
“Sa araw na ito, isang kagalakan na muli nating nakasama ang ating mga kababayan na nagbalik loob sa gobyerno at tuluyan nang tinalukuran ang grupong sumira sa kanilang buhay at pamilya. Aming titiyakin na kayo ay makakapagsimula ng bagong buhay at makakatanggap ng mga benepisyong ibinibigay ng Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP),” he added.
Among those turned over by the former NPA members during their surrender were assorted guns, rounds of ammunition, radio equipment, mobile phones, and improvised explosive devices.
Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said there were “no atrocities” committed by the NPA despite the absence of holiday season ceasefire.
READ: AFP: ‘No atrocities’ by CPP on founding anniversary
Last December 19, AFP spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar said the NPA would be demoralized without Sison.
READ: Without Joma Sison, CPP-NPA is weakened, and rebels lose motivation – AFP exec
READ: Jose Maria Sison, ‘teacher, guiding light’ of insurgency; 83