Insurgency: Pledge Allegiance to Gov't

Fighting the communist insurgency for 53 years is hard work. Sometimes it is also deadly work. But ultimately it is heroic work. That is why the AFP handed out 54 medals this week to honor the unceasing fight against the NPA.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1172961

Some 54 soldiers of the Philippine Army and a paramilitary trooper have been awarded medals for their participation in a series of successful encounters with Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) rebels in central and southern Negros earlier this month.

In separate rites on Monday, Maj. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, commander of 3rd Infantry Division, bestowed Military Merit Medals on 33 recipients from the 15th Infantry Battalion (15IB), comprising two officers, 31 enlisted personnel, and a Cafgu Active Auxiliary member, based in Cauayan town, as well as on 20 soldiers of 62IB, including two officers and 18 enlisted personnel, at the unit's headquarters in Isabela town.

“May this award serve as inspiration and motivation to do your best as a soldier and to serve and secure the peace-loving people not only in Negros Island, but also in other areas of Western and Central Visayas,” Arevalo said.

The Army official recognized the strategies employed by the troops in locating and hitting the enemies as he told the soldiers to remember they were once involved in an encounter that led to victory and their efforts were recognized.

It's great that the AFP is patting themselves on the back. I mean hoo-ray for our side, right? There is still much work to be done but the top brass is confident that it will be done.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1173273

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief Gen. Andres Centino expressed confidence the military can effectively reduce the numbers of armed insurgents and weaken their firepower through intensified focused military operations.

Centino cited the successive accomplishments of government forces against the New People’s Army (NPA) particularly in Samar, Negros, and Mindanao.

Meanwhile, six personnel from the Philippine Air Force (PAF)'s 505th Search-and-Rescue Group, who rescued 96 civilians from a burning residential building in Mandaluyong City on September 2, 2021 were recognized in a pin-and-award ceremony last April 27.

The awarding took place during the 4th Asian Defense & Security (ADAS) and Crisis Management Exhibition and Conference at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

The awardees were Maj. Cliford Mardicas, 1st Lt. Jezreel Panelo, Technical Sgt. Ruel Bilan, Technical Sgt. Arnold Marges, Staff Sgt. Dunhill Guanzon, and Staff Sgt. Joey Lopez.

Defense Undersecretary Cardozo M. Luna, who read the message of Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, said: "I am certain that there was no expectation on your part when you did your duty with gallantry on September 2, 2021 because that is what you always do in the search-and-rescue group. You are truly deserving of your awards for having saved not only 96 lives but 96 families who could have lost their loved ones if not for your prompt and efficient rescue operation."

The ceremony was initiated by Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky, the company that manufactured the S-76A helicopter used by the rescuers to evacuate civilians from the Metro Tower Building in Mandaluyong City.

How many NPA are estimated to be left? I have not encountered that number so far this year. What's interesting here is that weapons manufacturers Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky are behind this ceremony for awarding the men who rescued civilians from a burning building last September. That makes the entire ceremony a commercial for their product! Sure the men are heroes but it wasn't the AFP that decided to give them medals. It was two corporation essential to the military-industrial complex!

The AFP claims that Davao de Oro is almost clear of insurgents.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1172826

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff, Gen. Andres Centino, lauded on Sunday the 48th Infantry Battalion in Davao de Oro for their efforts in defeating communist terrorist groups (CTGs) operating in the province.

“I am pleased to note that we are successfully clearing your area from the insurgents. I express my commendation to you for being able to contribute to the mission of the AFP to ensure that we have secured communities all over the country,” Centino said in a statement.

He visited for the first time the headquarters of the 48th Infantry Battalion in Pantukan, Davao de Oro on April 23.

The height of the insurgency in the unit's area of operations has been declining due to the military's persistent and focused operations.

Centino urged the troops to maintain the momentum against the communist terrorist groups.

“We shall continue to go after the remnants of the communist terrorist groups and make them totally leave this place and give up the fight against the government,” he said.

No doubt some of this clearing is due to surrenders. The AFP is very certain that the end is nigh for the NPA. They say the NPA is facing a lot of hardship due to mass surrendering.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1172940

The hardship being experienced by members of the New People's Army (NPA) inside the organization is one of the reasons why more are surrendering to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

"The hardships inside the NPA organization are now taking their toll on its members, leading them to return to the folds of the law. The AFP welcomes them and is willing to offer them assistance in line with our government local integration programs,” AFP chief Gen. Andres Centino said in a statement Monday night.

He made this comment after meeting his long-time enemy, Maximo Catarata alias Datu Makatindog, the former highest-ranking leader of the weakened Guerrilla Front 3 of the NPA during his visit to the 10th Infantry Division headquarters in Camp General Manuel T. Yan Sr. Tuboran, Mawab, Davao de Oro last April 23.

Catarata surrendered along with his M16 rifle to government forces at the 60th Infantry Battalion headquarters in Asuncion, Davao del Norte on March 31.

The former NPA leader decided to return to the folds of the government due to the hardship he experienced inside the armed group and recent serious debacles that resulted in the mass surrender of most of his subordinates.

He was previously hunted for multiple cases of attempted murder, child labor and rebellion.

Prior to his surrender, three other members of the NPA’s Guerrilla Front 3 surrendered to the 60th Infantry Battalion on March 29.

They were Emy Ansag Camilo, logistics officer; and GF3 elements Nilo Oyda Moluhinday and Reyan Bagubay Moluhinday. His voluntary surrender was made possible through the relentless intelligence efforts of the 10th Infantry Division and 60th Infantry Battalion.

“Catarata is a living proof of the government’s sincerity in giving former rebels a chance to live a normal and peaceful life not only by ensuring the safety of their families but also by empowering them to become productive citizens of our country,” Centino said.

It sounds like Catarata who was wanted for "for multiple cases of attempted murder, child labor and rebellion" will not be facing any charges. If so that it is a grave injustice to the people who are his victims. This why the surrender program is unjust. You can't be a rebel and kill or attempt to kill people and then surrender and get on with your life with help from the government which means with help from the people's taxes.

So, what does one do after they surrender. Pledge allegiance to the government of course.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1173365

Fifty-five former members of the communist terrorist groups (CTGs) have withdrawn their support for the communist movement and pledged their allegiance to the national government.

The withdrawal of support was made after the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) Region 3 Situational Awareness and Knowledge Management (SAKM) conducted a local peace and community consultation in Barangay Marikit, Casiguran town, this province on Friday.

During the event, the CTGs, composed of 30 former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) and 25 former members of the Militia ng Bayan, burned the communist flag as proof of their sincerity to the government.

Maria Luisa F. De Guzman, regional director of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), thanked the former rebels as well as the residents condemning the CTGs and helping them to attain inclusive peace and development in Aurora.

“This is a result of our community consultation in promoting peace and stability in the province. This is part of our campaign against insurgency, together with the help of the Army’s 91st Infantry 'Sinagtala' Battalion, Aurora Police Provincial Office, and other concerned agencies. I thank all of you for helping the government in its fight against terrorism,” she said.

De Guzman urged the participants to form an organization to easily get assistance from the government.

“We will help you and address your needs. We urged you to organize and mobilize. Rest assured that the government will do its part to bring financial assistance and livelihood so that no one will come back with the CTGs,” she added.

Flag burning is  less a show of someone's sincere support for the government than it is a display of pure propaganda put on show by the government. Maria Luisa F. De Guzman sure sounds like she wants these former rebels to be lavished with financial and livelihood aid all footed by the taxpayer. 

What is the next logical step after pledging allegiance to the government? And note it is pledging allegiance to the government not to the country which is kind of odd seeing as the Duterte administration is about to bow out.  Maybe it's writing a book about the myth of communism.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1173210

A group of former New People's Army (NPA) rebels launched a book Thursday that seeks to expose the inner workings of the rebel group and its front organizations.

The authors said the book, “Unmasking: The Myth of Communism in the Philippines,” is their way of redeeming themselves for their involvement with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), whose ideology espouses the violent overthrow of the government.

Launched at the Sunny Point Hotel here, the book is a compendium of firsthand accounts and analysis of their experience as former cadres of the rebel organization. The book is free.

“(Making) this book is our way of redeeming ourselves for all the things and for all the people that we let suffer as a result of our participation in the so-called people's war” she said.

Saguino said the psychological debriefing she received from authorities guided her and her colleagues to heal and better themselves to rejoin society.

“Our exposé is not based on vengeance or anger towards our former comrades nor of our former organization, but borne of our love to who we are once, the Filipino youth, where we all started," she explained.

The authors said the book tells the story of the CPP and the robust network base that they have built over the decades.

According to the authors, the book extensively describes the CPP-NPA as an organization and the way it infiltrates the various layers of society to achieve its ends.

Wow. This book is going to expose the inner workings of the CPP and its from organizations and its free. Where can I get a copy? If it's free there should be a PDF everyone can access. Sadly there is no information about how to obtain a copy. That is kind of odd since the authors claim it is an act of redemption. If I find a copy I will certainly review it. 

Perhaps the next logical step is joining with your former enemy, the AFP.

https://www.kalinawnews.com/former-npa-leader-turns-10id-soldier/

“My passion and skills are exploited by the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) and that is why I became a member of the New People’s Army. Now that I am a soldier, I can use my skills and knowledge to serve our country,” said Daniel Castillo, a former NPA leader after the Closing Ceremony of the Candidate Soldier Course held in Mawab, Davao De Oro on April 28, 2022.

Daniel Castillo alias Steven is a former Political Instructor of the Guerilla Front 55 of the CTG who surrendered to 10ID in November 2020. He is one of the 34 former rebels or otherwise known as “friends rescued” out of the 286 strong candidate soldiers who finished the six (6) month-long training at the 10th Division Training School.

Castillo admitted that transitioning from an NPA rebel into a surrenderor and subsequently into a candidate soldier is tough. “It is a regimented life, we have to wake up very early, we have to do drills, to exercise. We were taught different skills and techniques in order to survive a soldier’s life to prepare us sa future isip mga sundalo ng 10ID. For me the hardest part syempre is the adjustment from being a civilian to being a soldier, tapos syempre yung pakikisama ko rin sa mga kasama ko because of my background,” Castillo 

This guy was an NPA leader and he says it's hard adjusting to a soldier's life? Is the NPA not full of "soldiers" who do drills and exercises? Is this just more propaganda to disparage the NPA? The insurgency has been ongoing for 53 years. That would not have happened unless there was a tremendous amount of discipline on the part of the NPA. Propaganda or not going from the NPA to the AFP sure makes for a strange "circle of life." Now this man, if he is indeed ex-NPA, will be facing his former comrades on the battlefield.