More than 200 individuals from Brgy. Malisbong, Sablayan pledged their oath of support to the government in the recently conducted Withdrawal of Support ceremony spearheaded by the Philippine Army and the Provincial and Municipal Task Force – End Local Communist Armed Conflict (P/MTF-ELCAC) (Photo courtesy of Philippine Army 68th Infantry Battalion).
SAN JOSE, Occidental Mindoro (PIA) — A total of 14 individuals who were previously identified by military intelligence as “susing masa” or look outs of the New People’s Army have returned to the folds of the law by pledging their allegiance to the government in the recently conducted Withdrawal of Support ceremony in Barangay Malisbong in the town of, Sablayan.
Capt. Ersel L. Filipinas of the 68th Infantry Battalion explained that a “susing masa” serves as scouts or informants of the NPA,
“Na-identify po sila, na-discover po ng tropa [natin] na may kaugnayan sila sa kabila…may mga former rebels po na nagturo sa kanila, at umamin din sila na minsan silang nagamit,.” he said.
Five improvised shotguns were also confiscated from the surrenderees who along with 200 barangay residents pledged their oath of support to the government.
A Serbisyo Caravan led by the Provincial and Municipal Task Force–End Local Communist Armed Conflict (P/MTF-ELCAC) was simultaneously held with the ceremony.
The Provincial and Municipal Health Office provided free medical and dental services, such as consultation, pneumonia and flu vaccination and distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets.
The Municipal Agricultural Office (MAO) administered vaccines and vitamins for animals in the community while the Department Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in partnership with the Provincial and Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office spearheaded the distribution of 250 family food packs which contain rice, coffee, instant noodles, and canned goods sufficient for a family of five for two to three days. The Cooperative Development Authority also distributed 50 food packs..
Other services such as PhilHealth registration, haircut, and circumcision were provided with the PSWDO, PNP, and SAF in the frontline serving 214 individuals.
He highlighted that extending services to these communities will help disprove the NPA’s deceptive tactics to recruit supporters,
“Magaling rin po kasi manghikayat ang kabilang grupo (NPA)…kasi ang ginagamit nila ay ang mga problemang panlipunan…sinasabi ng kabila sa mga tao, “kami ang inyong gobyerno,” pero ginagawa ito ng TF-ELCAC para malaman nila na tayo ang government at may malasakit ang gobyerno sa kanila.”
Filipinas advises the public, particularly the students, to be aware of the NPA’s recruitment tactics which target the people’s patriotism and current issues. (DSG/PIA MIMAROPA – Occidental Mindoro)
