By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan

MANILA – The communist movement suffered another blow in Oriental Mindoro as 22 Mangyan tribesmen who turned into rebels surrendered to the government earlier this week.

“Their surrender is a huge setback to the mainstream CTG (communist-terrorist group) as they took the important role(s) in sustaining the movement by providing vital information, foods, medicines, and other combat materials,” Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Gen. Debold Sinas, said in a statement Tuesday night.

In a ceremony at the Police Regional Office (PRO) 4-B (Mimaropa) headquarters in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro on Monday, the surrenderers turned over a 9mm submachine gun and two automatic pistols as they denounced the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army – National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) and expressed their allegiance to the government.

Various units of PRO 4-B, the Philippine Army, and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency facilitated their surrender.

PRO 4-B Chief, Brig. Gen. Pascual Muñoz, meanwhile, assured them of government assistance under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

Sinas said these Mangyan tribesmen have always been the target of exploitation by the local members of the CPP-NPA and were regular members under the Sandatahang Yunit Propaganda (SYP) and Milisya ng Bayan (MB) of the Lucio de Guzman Command of the Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee.

“These tribesmen formed the Barangay Revolutionary Committee in the area as organized by Mean Santillan aka 'KaIda', Secretary of KLG ICM (PSR 2nd Quarter 2020) to undertake organization and propaganda work, support logistical requirements (food supply, medical support, secure firearms), particularly in the area of Barangay Lisap, Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro," he added.

As regular members, the Mangyan tribesmen underwent indoctrination activities and complied with CPP-NPA mobilization orders to participate in tactical offensives when called upon, Sinas said.

The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (PNA)