By Jennifer P. Rendon
The Philippine Army’s 301st Infantry Brigade confirmed that 127 individuals voluntarily turned themselves in to the military after the Dec 30, 2020 raids in Tapaz, Capiz that led to the deaths of nine persons.
They were suspected NPA rebels or sympathizers dubbed as “Militia ng Bayan,” the military claimed.
In a statement, the 3rd Infantry Division said that “the voluntary surrender of the 127 individuals to the government is the brighter side of the Tapaz-Calinog incident.”
“With their surrender, we see people taking a stand against the communist terrorist group. And such is actually the first step that we should make in eradicating these NPAs. Insurgency is actually about winning the people, whoever wins the people wins the war. People taking the side of the government is an indication that the government is indeed winning.”
He pointed out that the areas where the raids were conducted are known strongholds of the CPP-NPA.
“Crumbling of the core is our last hoorah to finally end the local armed conflict. We are now fighting them at their epicenters. We expect this to be not easy but achievable and doable. The price of peace may not be cheap, but we have to pursue so that the 52 years of insurgency shall be finally put to an end,” he said.
84 of the 127 persons have already been “processed.”
“Some turned themselves in because they wanted to clear their names,” Major Cenon Pancito III, 3rd ID spokesperson, said.
He said that most of them may have been unaware that by aligning with the NPA, they formed part as Militia ng Bayan, which is being used by the rebel movement in their recruitment efforts.
Most of them are considered unarmed and used in gathering of information. Sometimes, they are called as “NPAs by night, farmers by day.”
Colonel Orlando Edralin, 301st Deputy Commander, earlier said that they also expected adverse reactions from the public following the raid. Nine persons were killed and ten were arrested during the raids.
“May mga different issues. But our CSP (Community Support Program) has identified issues and concerns in those areas. Hindi natin maiaalis na because of what happened – may mga na-hurt na feelings, relatives affected. Hindi natin masasabi na hindi ito makakaapekto sa ongoing efforts natin,” he said.
However, Edralin assured that the Philippine Army and the local government are putting up joint efforts to help the local populace know the truth.
“The personalities involved are identified. We only heard about their innocence but we failed also to take into account their involvement. Pero nakikiramay kami sa mga tao na ito. Whether we like it or not, tao pa rin sila,” he said.
While it does have a short-term negative effect, Edralin said that the government’s whole-of-the-nation approach through CSP could address this problem.
“We would address this head on para at least kahit papano, we provide all necessary assistance to the victims. The government is in full swing to help them,” he said.
But people could expect development soon as peace tries to set in the area.
Peace and development go hand in hand. Development will come if there is peace. The presence of NPA hinders development,” he added.
As to the possibility that relatives and family members of those who died or arrested would be recruited to join the NPA, Edralin said that is possible.
“As expected, merong iba dyan that would be convinced. We can’t prevent them. That’s a personal decision on their part,” he said.
But Edralin said they should be looking at the positive effects of what happened which is the influx of surrenderees.
“Let’s us not see that on the side na may namatay. Of course, part ng nangyari yun. But development will surely come,” he said.
Edralin claimed the people have now acknowledged that they erred when they joined and supported the CPP-NPA. And for now, it’s all that matters more.
