SAN JOSE, Occidental Mindoro (PIA) – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) 68th Infantry Battalion (IB) welcomed 22 individuals who recently severed their connection with the communist group, New People’s Army (NPA) in a Withdrawal of Support activity conducted in Brgy. Malpalon, Calintaan.
According to Cpt. Ersel Filipinas of 68th IB, their troops conducted an immersion in the community from May 25 to August 4, 2023 as part of the Withdrawal of Support campaign in the community.
The four-month activity involved visiting every sitio in the barangay where an information drive highlighting Anti-terror law was conducted in each household. The troop also consulted with the residents to learn about current problems the community faces.
“Nakasaad sa Anti-terror law na kung sino ang sumusuporta sa kabila (NPA), kahit sino ka pa, pwede kang makasuhan. [Ginawa namin ang info drive na ito] para maging aware sila na mali ang ginagawa nila kasi kung walang magsasabi sa kanila, hindi nila malalaman, (The Anti-terror law states that anyone who is proven to have been giving support to NPA will be charged. We conducted this info drive to spread awareness in the community that supporting the communist group is wrong. If no one will inform them, they will not know.)” Filipinas explained.
Filipinas underscored that the Withdrawal of Support was conducted in a peaceful approach with close coordination with the local government.
“Umiiwas tayo sa mga offensive na bagay, o manakot. Peaceful na approach pa rin ang banat natin. Effective itong approach na ito kahit sa mga Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas o GIDAS at IP communities natin” (We do not opt for an offensive strategy, or scaring the people. Our approach is a peaceful one and it is an effective way particularly in GIDAS and the IP communities), he shared.
The individuals, joined by the residents of the barangay, signed an affidavit and pledged not to extend aid to the communist group to show their support to the government.
Filipinas added that their team is conducting an evaluation to determine if the surrendered individuals are qualified to receive Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program o E-CLIP.
The activity ended with a Serbisyo Caravan providing various social services to the community led by the AFP and the Provincial Task Force – End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PFT-ELCAC) comprising different government agencies and offices.
The AFP, with the PFT-ELCAC, continues to conduct information drive campaigns, and deliver government programs and projects to ELCAC-identified areas in the province in pursuit to end insurgencies in Occidental Mindoro. (DSG/PIA MIMAROPA – Occidental Mindoro)
The surrenders, joined by the residents of the barangay, sign an affidavit and pledged not to extend aid to the communist group to show their support to the government. (Photo courtesy of PIO Occidental Mindoro)
