ILOILO City – President Rodrigo Duterte vowed to protect from the New People’s Army (NPA) the 727 members of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army – Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPA-ABB) who surrendered to the government.
The RPA-ABB is a splinter group of the NPA.
On Sept. 19, Duterte led the decommissioning of 727 RPA-ABB members in Camp Peralta, Jamindan, Capiz.
“You are part of the government. Magkasama na tayo ngayon. Kung ipitin kayo ng komunista, and they really want trouble, I will give you new firearms. Mas maganda pa dito,” said Duterte.
The decommissioning also involved the turnover of RPA-ABB armaments (315 long and short firearms) to the government.
“I’m going to arm you. Sira na ‘yan, wala na ‘yan. Bigyan ko ng armas kayo. Sumama na kayo sa gobyerno. We are now duty-bound to protect you,” Duterte said.
Veronica Tabara, RPA-ABB head, expressed gratitude to the government for reintegrating their group back into mainstream society.
“Nandito kami ngayon kasama ng pamahalaan para sa decommissioning ng lahat ng mga hinawakan naming mga armas at sandata nang kami ay tumiwalag sa mali at kriminal na pamumuno ng Communist Party of the Philippines – NPA,” she said.
She assured the government that her group would be one with the government in moving forward peace and progress in the country.
“Mula rito, buo ang loob at mahigpit ang aming paninindigan na ipagpatuloy ang pagpupunyagi upang paunlarin ang matibay na kooperasyon sa pamahalaan sa paglutas ng ugat ng armadong tunggalian para sa kapayapaan at kaunlaran ng mamamayan at ng buong bansa,” said Tabara.
The decommissioning of the former combatants was a step towards the closure agreement with the group, expected to be signed by 2022.
On July 19, the Clarificatory Implementing Documents (CID), which lists down the commitments of the government and RPA-ABB, was signed.
The CID components included disposition of arms and forces and security arrangements, social and economic reintegration, release of the remaining alleged political offenders, transformation of the group into a civilian organization engaged in socio-economic and political activities, and community peace dividends. (PNA/PN)
