200 ex-NPA rebels, supporters attend peace camp in NoCot

By John Andrew Tabugoc / Philippine News Agency

TULUNAN, North Cotabato – At least 200 former rebels and underground supporters of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) are undergoing a three-day peace-building seminar here initiated by the Army’s 39th Infantry Battalion (IB).

1st Lt. Walter Jhun Orille, 39IB civil-military operations officer, said the activity, which kicked off Monday, aims to shift the perspective of former NPA rebels and supporters into becoming proponents of peace and development.

Most of the participants are erstwhile members of the “Komiteng Rebolusyon sa Munisipyo,” a mass-based organization in villages here considered "NPA-influenced areas."

During the kick-off ceremony, Orille said the participants staged a peace rally at the town center and burned the flag of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) "to show their disgust at the NPA’s crimes against the people."

“This act simply shows that the seminar participants are now on the right standpoint, which is far different from the CPP-NPA false ideology,” he said. (PNA)