Insurgency: Be Vigilant vs Terror Comeback

Antipolo City has finally been declared insurgency free. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/9/21/antipolo-city-now-insurgency-free

Antipolo City has been declared as an insurgency-free community, the local government announced.

To affirm the local government’s commitment to ensuring a peaceful city, City Mayor Casimiro “Jun” Ynares, III and Vice Mayor Josefina Gatlabayan led local officials in signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the declaration of the Stable Internal Peace and Security in the city, which was held at the city hall Friday morning, Sept. 20. 

Rizal Police Provincial Office (PPO) director Col. Felipe B. Maraggun and City Police Station chief Lieutenant Col. Ryan Manongdo signed the MOU representing the Philippine National Police (PNP) during the ceremony. 

Representing the military were Lt. Col. Mark Antony Ruby, the commander of 80thInfantry Brigade; and Col. Ronald Jess Alcudia, the deputy brigade commander of 202NDBrigade of the  2ND Infantry Division of the Philippine Army. 

Maraggun, in a statement following the signing, said the participants in the ceremony signifies their dedication in strengthening the peace and security in communities in the entire city. 

Mayor Ynares personally thanked Maraggun and the military officials for the insurgency-free declaration.

Last year there were several large group surrenders in Antipolo City. The city is a rather large area in the NCR which makes the surrenders and this declaration kind of odd. Where exactly was the NPA operating in Antipolo City? And of course NEVER FORGET according to the AFP insurgency-free does not mean there are zero insurgents. 

Misamis Occidental has newly been declared insurgency-free yet President Marcos has warned local authorities to remain vigilant lest it makes a comeback. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1987657/marcos-be-vigilant-vs-terror-comeback-in-insurgency-free-misamis-occidental

Upon the declaration of Misamis Occidental as an insurgency-free province, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday called on local authorities to “thwart any possible comeback” by terrorist groups to sustain peace in Mindanao.

Marcos made the pronouncement during the declaration of Misamis Occidental as an insurgency-free province at the Tangub City Global College Sports Complex in Tangub City, Misamis Occidental.

“As we celebrate these gains today, we cannot rest here. We must remain vigilant against the emerging threats that undermine our hard-won gains,” said Marcos in his speech.

“I ask the local government units of Misamis Occidental to intensify collaboration with various government agencies, partners, and other stakeholders to thwart any posturing or coming back of terrorist groups or any of their financiers or supporters may still be contemplating,” he added.

According to Marcos, the “aggressive implementation of socioeconomic interventions” helped prevent the recurrence of conflict in Misamis Occidental.

“The experience of Misamis Occidental speaks volumes about the importance of addressing the root causes of insurgency. Peace will neither be attainable nor sustainable without accompanying development. These things work hand-in-hand,” said Marcos.

It's eternal vigilance for the homeland. If a comeback could happen then the area is not insurgency-free. 

More NPA fighters are surrendering across the nation. In Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro, both in Region 11, and from Agusan del Sur in Region 13, 20 rebels came forward this week. 

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2024/09/24/2387673/20-more-npas-regions-11-13-surrender

Another group of New People’s Army guerillas have pledged allegiance to the government in a symbolic rite in Barangay Doña Andrea in Asuncion town in Davao del Norte on Monday, September 23.

Radio reports in Cotabato City and in nearby Central Mindanao provinces on Tuesday quoted Major Gen. Allan Hambala, commander of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division, as saying that the group is comprised of 20 NPAs from across Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro, both in Region 11, and from Agusan del Sur in Region 13.

Hambala said they promised to reform for good during a symbolic surrender rite at the headquarters of the 60th IB in Barangay Doña Andrea in Asuncion.

Different units of the 10th ID and local government executives in Region 11 and Region 13 together secured the surrender in batches of more than 400 NPAs in the past 24 months, according to radio reports.

The 20 NPAs present in Monday's surrender ceremony at the headquarters of the 60th IB had reportedly promised to help maintain law and order in their hometowns, in the presence of Brig. Gen. Felix Ronnie Babac of the 1001st Infantry Brigade and Col. Jorry Baclor, chief of the Unified Staff of the military’s Eastern Mindanao Command.

Hambala said Monday’s event at the 60th IB headquarters was preceded by the surrender of 15 NPAs to the same unit just two months ago.

The 15 NPAs agreed to turn in their firearms and improvised explosive devices and sign surrender documents through the intercession of officials of the 60th IB and local executives in towns under its jurisdiction.

400 NPAs have surrendered in these areas in the past two years. But are these actual fighters or supporters or something else? 

A total of 35 NPA rebels have turned themselves in to Eastern Mindanao Command between March and September. There was a very public ceremony with them being presented to the public.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1233980

Thirty-five former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) turned themselves in between March and September this year, according to the Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) on Monday.

During the media presentation at the 60th Infantry Battalion headquarters here, the surrenderers also handed over 20 firearms from various NPA units operating in Davao del Norte, Davao de Oro and Agusan del Sur.

Col. Jorry Baclor, Unified Command Staff chief, commended the former rebels for choosing peace.

“I urge you to encourage your former comrades to follow your lead and return to the fold of the law. This will significantly contribute to ending insurgency in Eastern Mindanao,” Baclor said.

Under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), the ex-rebels will receive socio-economic assistance and financial aid.

Most of the surrenderers were farmers or laborers, many of whom did not have the opportunity to complete basic education.

“Daisy,” a former medical officer of the NPA’s 2nd and 5th Pulang Bagani Command, was full of regrets. She hopes for a peaceful life with her family.

“I’m thankful to the government for giving us a second chance. I won’t return to the communist group,” she said.

The Davao del Norte Davao de Oro provincial governments also pledged to support the former rebels with livelihood opportunities, financial assistance and scholarships.

But wait a minute. This includes the same NPA rebels in the previous story. Why is the story being reported differently? In the first article these are NPA rebels. In the second article they are former NPA rebels who had now become farmers and laborers. 

Either way they will be getting lots of free benefits from the Philippine taxpayer. 44 ex-rebels in Ifugao recently received their free government goodies. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1234153

The Department of Labor and Employment–Cordillera Administrative Region (DOLE-CAR) has released PHP1.32 million worth of livelihood to 44 former rebels from Tinoc, Ifugao.  

The funds were released Tuesday to the local government of Tinoc, which will provide the needed equipment or supplies and will monitor the development and improvement of the former rebels’ preferred livelihood program. 

“Each of the former rebel received PHP30,000 each livelihood aid from the government. The money will be used to purchase start-up items for their choice of livelihood,” Nathaniel Lacambra, DOLE-CAR regional director, said in a phone interview on Wednesday.

The assistance is one of the several components under the Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) program. 

“It is not just the DOLE that provides the assistance. This is a whole-of-government, whole-of-nation approach. Everybody (is) providing funds, support and programs to ensure a better and peaceful life for the former rebels together with their families," Lacambra said.

During the activity, Police Regional Office-CAR director David Peredo led the ceremonial mass withdrawal of support to the communist terrorist group (CTG). 

“The burning of the CTG banner symbolizes their complete renunciation of the armed struggle, and the signing and recitation of the oath of support to the government reaffirms their loyalty and commitment to the government and its programs to attain lasting peace for the community,” he said. 

A continuing process of deradicalization will also be done aside from assessment of the former rebels’ other needs such as assistance on housing, firearms remuneration, education, skills training or education for their children.

Of course the government has to have a big show with the burning of the CTG banner. Hopefully they use their new toys productively.

Along with free money and supplies all former rebels can also apply for amnesty. 

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2024/09/27/2388297/9-ex-rebels-seek-amnesty

Nine former New People’s Army guerrillas have applied for amnesty through the Local Amnesty Board (LAB) in Negros Occidental.

The applicants were assisted by the Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion in filing their documents with the LAB-Bacolod.

In July, the 79IB also helped 52 former rebels who availed themselves of the amnesty program being offered by the government.

Lt. Col. Arnel Calaoagan, 79IB chief, commended the former rebels for choosing the path to peace.

Calaoagan cited the importance of amnesty program initiatives in attaining lasting peace and reconciliation.

He said the number of former rebels who signified intention to apply for amnesty continued to increase.

The National Amnesty Commission (NAC) said  175 former rebels in Negros have applied for amnesty since July.

The NAC said the government amnesty program covers crimes committed in pursuit of political beliefs.

And with that all their past crimes are swept under the rug.