36 FRs formally withdraw allegiance to CTGs

 

MAASIM, Sarangani (December 19, 2022) - Some 36 former rebels (FRs) have officially withdrawn their support to the Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs) during a peace activity on December 15 at the 38th Infantry Battalion (IB) in Barangay Kamanga, Maasim.

Governor Rogelio Pacquiao together with Provincial Administrator Atty. Ryan Jay Ramos and 38th IB officials headed by Acting Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Michael Angelo Candole welcomed the FRs back to the folds of the law.

Through the help of the 38th IB, Provincial Local Government Unit of Sarangani, and the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) XII, the peace activity was held which catered for the members of the CTGs who voluntarily surrendered to the government.

The FRs comprised 11 former members of the New People’s Army, and 25 from the Milisyan Bayan and Sangay ng Partido Lokalidad.

"Dili mamahimong successful ang pagkab-ot nato sa kalinaw sa tibuok probinsya kauban usab ang pagtabang nato aning atong mga kaubanan nga nagbalik-loob sa gobyerno kung wala ang tabang aning atong mga partners," said Pacquiao as he acknowledged the efforts and assistance of the province’s peace partners.

Governor Pacquiao further said that under his Ronda Probinsiya para sa Kalinaw program with the help of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and all the partners, the province "is always ready to respond in fighting the insurgency and ready to implement programs for complete assistance."

With the cooperation of the different government agencies through the whole-of-nation approach, the FRs will be provided with a housing program, medical assistance from the Department of Health, psychological rehabilitation, livelihood assistance, and skills training under the Technical Education Skills Development Authority.

"The activity earlier is the formalization of their withdrawal of support to the CPP-NPA and their show of support to the government," said Atty. Ramos.

The FRs also signed their oath of allegiance to the government.

Pacquiao said, "ang pagbalik ninyo sa gobyerno ang pinaka-tama nga desisyon nga inyong gibuhat sa inyong intiro nga kinabuhi."

He assured the FRs that "there is always a government ready to accept them as they turn back from the terrorist groups and go back to the community."

"We will unite in making Sarangani a more resilient, dynamic, and progressive province," said Governor Pacquiao. (Joshua John S. Pantonial & photos by Nico Aguilar/SARANGANI PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE)

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