Thursday, November 26, 2020

Gigaquit Town welcomes surrender of 9 NPA, 22 Militia



GIGAQUIT, Surigao del Norte
– Nine (9) New People’s Army (NPA) regulars together with 22 Milisya ng Bayan members voluntarily surrender without firearms to the Community Support Program Team of 30th Infantry (Fight On) Battalion, Philippine Army in Brgy Camam-onan, Gigaquit town on November 22, 2020 Sunday.

LASICAM complex can be considered as one of the bastions of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) in the area.

The surrenderees are members of Sandatahang Pampropaganda sa Platun (SPP) 16C, Guerilla Front Committee (GFC) 16, Northeastern Mindanao Regional Party Committee (NEMRC) under Roel T. Neniel AKA JACOB operating in LASICAM Complex.

A formal surrender ceremony was held during the Grand Pulong-Pulong (GPP) officiated by Hon. Chandru T. Bonite, Municipal Mayor of Gigaquit with the presence of around two Hundred (200) individuals of the Mamanwa tribe from the hinter areas of Barangays Lahi, Sico-sico, and Camam-onan (LASICAM).


Mayor Bonite welcomed the surrenderees and promised that LGU Gigaquit will provide support to them and to take every effort in seeking further assistance from other Government agencies for support that could be provided to the surrenderors and their families.

“Isip injo Mayor, Nalipay ko kay inyo gidawat ang programa sa atong gobyerno alang sa kalinaw. Manghinaut ko nga sugod karon, magtinabangay ta aron makab-ot nato ang atong gipangandoy nga kalinaw ug kalamboan dire sa LASICAM,” he said. 

(Being your Mayor, I am very glad that you truly accepted the program of the government towards attaining lasting peace. Henceforth, let us help each other to achieve lasting peace and progress here in LASICAM.)

In his closing statement, Mayor Bonite expressed his gratitude to the Philippine Army especially to 30IB for always being present in the municipality ensuring the safety and security of his constituents, and as a great partner in progress and development in the area.


According to alias Jonas, one of the surrenderees who was recruited way back in 2016 expressed his disappointments and frustrations to the leadership of the NPA organization.

“Puro kabakakan, igo ra me sologoon sa suyod wla jud kaugmaon, nag ingon sila nga naay suporta nga ila ihatag sa amo pamilya pero suyod sa tuyo (3) ka tuig nako sa organisasyun, bisan sentimo wayay nadawat among pamilya," he said.

(Nothing but all lies, we were used just like slaves inside, no future, they said they will support our family but for the past three (3) years in the organization, not even a single cent was given to our family.)


He added that he was thankful for the soldiers of 30IB.

“Magpasalamat me sa 30IB sa ilang pagkamaayo, sila ang nitabang aron kmi makamata sa kamatuoran," hee added.

(Thanks to 30IB, we owe our new lives to them, for their kindness, they helped us realized the truth.)

Lt. Col. Ryan Charles G Callanta, Commanding Officer of 30IB said, “We will ensure that these surrenderees had made the right decision, that they will avail the E-CLIP benefits not only to help them start their new and peaceful lives but to show them how serious the government in its quest for 'Peaceful reconciliation.' This is a fruit of a collective effort among and between partner government agencies and civil society organizations in the area"

"This is a strong manifestation that the Executive Order number 70 thru the Local TF ELCAC is effectively functioning in this part of the country. I also commend the efforts of our soldiers doing the Community Support Program for a job well done. Thus, we are expecting an avalanche of surrenderees in the coming days or weeks, and we will peacefully welcome them," he concluded.


Source: Civil-Military Operations Office, 30th Infantry Battalion, Joint Task Force Diamond, PA

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