From being former members of Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa-Pilipinas-Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPM-P/RPA-ABB), the two surrenderers are now full-fledged government soldiers, who will be serving and protecting the country--the Philippines.
Dela Cruz and Siplao were former members of RPM-P/RPA-ABB in 2nd District of Negros Occidental, who recently finished their seven-month long training at the Philippine Army's 3rd Infantry Division headquarters in Camp Gen. Macario Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz.
The RPA-ABB is a breakaway group of the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army (CPP-NPA). They split in 1996 due to ideological differences.
In 2000, the RPA-ABB signed a peace agreement with the national government under President Joseph Estrada. On September 19, 2019, former President Rodrigo Duterte led the formal demilitarization of the former RPM-P/RPA-ABB combatants in Camp Peralta, Jamindan, Capiz.
The two, who belong to the special quota of Candidate Soldiers "MAILAP” Class 689-2021 and graduated on July 14, 2022, were among the 181 strong and gallant new privates who received their R4 Carbine-issued rifles during the entrustment rites, a tradition that symbolizes supremacy of civilian authority over the military. The ceremony was graced by Tapaz, Capiz mayor Roberto Palomar.
In his message, MGen Benedict Arevalo, the 3ID Commander, said that these two Privates would inspire and motivate other youth inside the movement to return to the folds of the law and serve the country in a significant way.
