NPA leader and supporters renew pledge of allegiance to the government

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
December 18, 2007

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  One former NPA leader and about 1,500 mass supporters took their oath of loyalty to the government during the Peace and Development Forum held at San Isidro, Leyte on December 13, 2007.

The Forum was attended by Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla and Col. Raoul J. Reyes, commanding officer of the 802nd Brigade of the 8th Infantry Battalion and Lt. Col. Henry Bumiltac, commanding officer of the 19th Infantry (Commando) Battalion of the 8th ID.

First Lieutenant Dennis Almorato, Information Officer of the 19th Infantry Battalion based in Kananga, Leyte, informed that Governor Petilla, Col. Reyes and Lt. Col. Bumiltac turned-over a livelihood assistance amounting to one hundred thousand pesos (P100,000), assorted foodstuffs and three (3) piglets to former Communist Terrorist Leader Edwin Commendador y Pepito alias Wendyl/Delfin, a resident of Brgy. Tag-abaca, Leyte, Leyte, the Team Leader of Squad Abe, "NEPAL" Platoon, Mt. Amandewin Command, North Leyte Front.

It would be recalled that Comendador surrendered with three (3) M16 armalite rifles to the operating troops of 19th Infantry (Commando) Battalion, 8th Infantry Division at vicinity Sitio Cabariwan, Barangay Tapol, Leyte, Leyte last November 30, 2007.

Edwin Commendador received, from the government, a total of one hundred thousand pesos (P100,000) as livelihood assistance for high powered fire arms he surrendered. This is a part of the joint effort of the Province of Leyte and AFP to give cash rewards at twenty five thousand pesos (P25,000) per serviceable high powered fire arms surrendered in the area of operations.

This activity proved once again the sincerity of the government in providing assistance to all NPA leaders and members who return to the fold of the law and who surrender their high powered firearms.

The activity, likewise signify the continued victory of the government in eradicating the remnants of the beleaguered CPP NPA in the third district of the province of Leyte.

The Peace and Development Forum was attended by about 1,500 officers and members of the Samahan sa Mag-uuma sa Calubian (SAMACA) and Kahugpungang Mag-uuma sa San Isidro (KAMAS) under the umbrella of the Samahan sa Gudti nga Parag-uma (SAGUPA), a united front organization of the Communist Party of the Philippines in Leyte.