Rebel supporters turn their backs en masse vs communist movement in Ifugao

BAGUIO CITY (September 26, 2024) -- The military claimed that at least 44 self-confessed supporters of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New Peoples Army (CPP-NPA) from Tukocan, Tinoc town in Ifugao, formally withdrew their support to the underground movement Tuesday at sitio Mugao, Barangay Impugong, also in Tinoc.

“The mass withdrawal of rebel supporters demonstrated a positive development for an insurgency-free Ifugao,” said Philippine army Major Anthony Pueblas, commander of the 1st Civil Relations Group of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (CRGAFP) based in Camp Aquino in Tarlac, the headquarters of the AFP’s Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom).

According to Pueblas, Ifugao, the home of the Rice Terraces, “has been a stronghold of insurgency,” prompting the military to focus its efforts to flush out rebel influence in the province that has made significant milestones.

“The undertaking is a big step in the province's quest for genuine peace towards development and progress as he urged the CTGs, supporters, and officials to work collectively for peace,” said

Ifugao Governor Jerry U. Dalipog, vowing, “we will not allow the CTG to continue demeaning the peace that we aspire for, so we ought to condemn them.”

The governor urged all rebel supporters to join him and other Ifugao officials “commit themselves to moving forward in our quest for peace."

Ifugao Gardo Pilay, a former supporter, thanked programs from government reaching them as a good showing, he said, the remaining NPA rebels in Ifugao to return to mainstream society and embrace peace. "I call on the NPAs to come down because there's no hope in the (CPP-NPA). We are being made into fools to destroy the government. To the leaders of the NPA, do not lie and destroy lives."

Philippine Army Lieutenant Colonel Epizo Angalao, commander of the 86th Infantry Battalion based in Ifugao assured to sustain the peace in the province. "With your unity and trust in the government, it will be ensured that no more families will be destroyed due to violence, no more children will be separated from their parents, and no more young people will be affected by conflict and wrong ideology.”

While Cordillera police director Brig. Gen. David K. Peredo promised ‘they will continue to assist and respond to the needs of those who have lost their way because of communist ideology and he further recognized the courage of these supporters for condemning the CPP-NPA.