CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City – Three communist terrorist NPAs (CNTs) yielded to the Philippine Army’s 2nd Infantry Battalion (2IB) of the 9th Infantry Division in Masbate on April 21, 2022.
According to Lt. Col. Siegfried Felipe F Awichen, Commanding Officer of 2IB, after a series of negotiation, his troops was able to convince Alias Pinoy, Alias Darwin, and Alias Nikoy to lay down their arms and heed the government’s call for peace by availing the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) of the government.
The surrenderees turned over one M653 rifle and 5 pistols of various calibers to the military.
Lt. Col. Awichen presented the former NPAs to Lt. Gen. Bartolome Vicente o Bacarro, Commander Southern Luzon Command; Maj. Gen. Alex DC Luna, Commander of Joint Task Force Bicolandia; and Brig. Gen. Aldwine I Almase, Commander of 903rd Brigade at 2IB Headquarters, Sitio Baclay, Brgy Bacolod, Milagros, Masbate.
2IB will facilitate the former rebel’s enrollment in the E-CLIP program of the government. Under the program, they will receive assistance from the government such as financial assistance, remuneration for surrendered firearms, and livelihood assistance among others.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines as member of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) continue to call for the remaining CNTs to return to the government fold and avail of the government assistance under the E-CLIP so that they could help their families live a peaceful and productive life.
