THE appeal by Pres. Duterte for members of the New People’s Army (NPA), to surrender to the government and turn a new page in their lives has started to penetrate the countryside, resulting to the mass surrender in Bukidnon of two high-ranking local NPA leaders and five of their men.
Major General Andres Centino, 4th Infantry Division Commander, said that the NPA leaders’ surrender is a response to the call of Pres. Duterte for the remnants of the CPP-NPA to return back to the folds of the law.
Brig. General Ferdinand Barandon, 403RD Brigade commander, 4TH Infantry Division, added the failed promises by their top leaders added to the decision of Armando Daluniag, Roland Lagunday and five of their men to surrender to the Philippine Army last March 9, 2021.
Daluniag, aka, ‘Ambo/Satur/Pegan/Dario’ is the commanding officer of the Headquarters Force (HQF) Neo of the Northern Central Mindanao Regional Party Committee of the Communist Part of the Philippines (CPP) and former deputy secretary of guerilla front (GF) 89.
The NPA is armed terrorist group of the CPP.
On the other hand, Lagunday, aka, ‘Ben,’ is the squad leader of Squad 2, Platoon 2 of HQF Neo.
On cutting their ties with the CPP-NPA, the group also brought with them a cache of arms and ammunition that include, four M16 rifles, three AK47 rifles, two M653 rifles, one M203 grenade launcher, and one M14 rifle or a total of 11 high-powered rifles (HPRs).
Centino noted that the surrender took place just four days after the Chief Executive visited Cagayan de Oro City, where the division’s headquarters is also located.
In his speech, the President assured the CPP-NPA members that those surrendering would get sufficient government assistance, such as livelihood, skills training, and housing, among others.
Barandon also bared that during their debriefing of Daluinag and his men, they also expressed their utter disappointment in the terrorist organizations.
“Daluniag stated that they grew tired with the movement because of failed promises and even their families’ welfare was disregarded.
“He also encouraged his comrades who still continue to fight against the government to follow their footsteps and lay down their firearms,” the official said.
Daluniag also told his remaining comrades in the hills that the allegation that the Philippine Army would “torture” those who surrender is a lie.
“It is not true that we will be tortured once we surrender. In our case we were entertained properly by the soldiers,” he said.
Amnesty offer
Meanwhile, the decision by Pres. Duterte to give amnesty to all members of armed groups in the country to hasten national peace and unity has gained the support of the members of Congress, with the exception from the so-called ‘Makabayan Bloc,’ which is considered as comprising the “legal fronts” of the CPP-NPA in the country’s legislative body.
The Chief Executive last February 5, 2021, signed presidential proclamation (PP) 1090, 1091, 1092 and 1093 and covered crimes committed under the Revised Penal Code and other special laws in connection with the beneficiaries’ political beliefs.
The crimes that are covered by the amnesty include rebellion or insurrection, conspiracy and proposal to commit rebellion or insurrection, disloyalty to public officers or employees, sedition, illegal assembly, illegal association, direct assault, indirect assault, among others.
The grant of amnesty does not cover those charged with kidnapped for ransom, massacre, rape, terrorism, violation of Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and violation of Geneva Convention of 1949.
The amnesty also excludes those who committed genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, torture, enforced disappearances, and other grave violations of human rights.
PP 1090 covers members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) while PP 1091 are for the members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). The MILF is a breakaway faction of the MNLF.
On the other hand, PP 1092 covers the members of the Rebolusyunaryong Partido Manggagawa ng Pilipinas, Revolutionary Proletarian Army and the Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP/RPA/ABB), while PP 1093 refers to the members of the CPP-NPA described in the proclamation as ‘CTGs’ (communist terrorist groups).
The RPMP/RPA/ABB was a product of the split within the CPP-NPA leadership in the early ‘90s.
The grant of amnesty requires admission of guilt on the part of beneficiaries and concurrence of the Senate and the House of Representatives, which are now deliberating on them.