CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — Some 600 former members and supporters of communist front organizations in Central Luzon condemned the atrocities of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).
They along with members of the Situation Awareness and Knowledge Management cluster of the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict held a peace rally in Pampanga.
Philippine National Police Deputy Chief for Administration Lt. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia lauded the attendees of the gathering for displaying the spirit of volunteerism as a symbol of help and support in ELCAC as one of the legacies of President Duterte.
“Your streamers are your expression that you condemn the exploitation and deception of the members of the CPP-NPA and their different front organizations… Your presence is the symbol of unity for every Filipino in the different parts of the Philippines. Here, in the province of Pampanga, I see and feel the spirit of volunteerism, and your passion to help us in our development,” he pressed.
Groups present include Samahan ng Malayang Kapatiran from Pandi, Bulacan; Samahan Ng Malayang Kababaihan ng Bagac, Inc. and Samahan ng Magsasaka ng Bataan; and Malayang Magsasaka ng Hacienda Luisita from Tarlac.
Also, Aniban ng mga Magbubukid ng Cuyapo, Liga ng mga Manggagawang Bukid, Nagkakaisang Magsasaka ng Mangang Marikit, and Lupao Youth Volunteers from the Nueva Ecija; and Mamamayang Lingkod para Isulong ang Kaunlaran sa Aurora, and solo parents from Aurora.
For her part, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency Regional Director Ma. Luisa De Guzman said many were once deceived and exploited by the CPP-NPA but now have returned to the folds of the law after seeing that the government has care and concern in its programs.
Among these, she said, are the development in infrastructures from the Build Build Build program, aid to livelihood opportunities for every Filipino, and public health service amid the pandemic; and the programs for rebel returnees such as the Enhanced- Comprehensive Local Integration Program, skills training, and scholarship grants to their children.
“We have to continue what we achieved… We have to let people know what they are: deceptive and deceitful and have not ambitioned anything but to seize the authority of the government. We only have one country, one flag, one government, one race, and one vision: and that is peace,” she emphasized.
SOURCE: Jag Lyra D. Costamero (PIA3)
