BACOLOD City – Sixty supporters of the New People’s Army in two villages in Binalbagan, Negros Occidental withdrew their support to the rebel group.
They pledged loyalty to the government during an “oath of allegiance” ceremony at the covered court of Barangay Bi-ao, Binalbagan last Friday, the Philippine Army announced over the weekend.
Those who took their oath included residents of barangays Bi-ao and Santol.
“The community took a vow to give their loyalty to the government and abandon the wrong ideology that once deceived them,” Lieutenant Colonel Egbert Dacoscos, commander of the 62nd Infantry Battalion, said in a statement.
“In addition, they pledged to withdraw their support to CPP-NPA (Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army),” Dacoscos said.
Mayor Emmanuel Aranda, Bi-ao and Santol barangay officials, and representatives from other sectors witnessed the ceremony that included a candle-lighting event, symbolizing the call for peace.
During a “peace advocacy symposium,” troops from the 62nd Infantry Battalion gave a lecture on the atrocities of the NPA.
On Sept. 10 and 13, a total of 113 rebel sympathizers from the neighboring Himamaylan City also renounced their support to the rebels, the Army said.
They included 27 residents of Barangay Mahalang and 86 from Barangay Buenavista.
A total of 103 rebel supporters in barangays Bagtic and Luyang in Mabinay, Negros Oriental, and 18 from Barangay Carabalan, Himamaylan City did the same on Aug. 25 and Aug. 8, respectively. (With a report from PNA/PN)
