Military: No NPA recruitment in Panay, Negros

CEBU, Philippines - From last year to this day, the New People's Army was unable to recruit new members from its areas of operation in Panay and Negros islands.

According to Major Gen. Aurelio Baladad, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, if this trend continues the NPA will suffer a drain in its strength.

This situation could be attributed to the government's active efforts to prevent recruitment, which the NPA usually does among indigenous people (IPs), who were "usually misled to think that the only way to solve their problem is for an armed revolution," Baladad said.

These IPs are predominantly found in the towns of Jamindan and Tapaz in Capiz province and Calinog town in Iloilo.

Baladad said the NPA usually employ the arouse-organize-mobilize scheme in their recuitment. "First, gagalitin nila ang tao. Most of the time, they would use the issue on land to spark arousal of the people," he said.

"Pag galit na ang mga tao, they would enjoin them to become a member of the organization. Now, comes the mobilization process like staging of a rally," he said, adding that the NPA then does further agitations until it reaches another mobilization process because the issue becomes personal.

"That's why, it is very critical for us to answer because the truth will lead them to the right path," Baladad said.

In areas where recruitment could happen, the 3rd ID came up with a memorandum of understanding with the IPs. "It's for us to talk to explore ways na mabigyan sila ng lupa or ancestral domain," he said.

The 3rd ID also embarked on peace assembly where ideas are exchange among the IPs on how to promote their culture. When typhoon Yolanda hit Capiz and Iloilo provinces, the IP leaders stood as focal persons to identify the needs of their people.

"Kung dati puro batikos na hindi maganda ... na puro inutil ang gobyerno. Now, we show that it's not true. We have manifested that the government services reached them. Kahit mahirap at magastos mag-airflift, we did it if only to show that this is their government," Baladad added.

The 3rd ID said that, last year, the number of NPA members who surrendered in Panay and Negros islands had increased. From January to the 3rd quarter of 2013, a total of 53 rebels (16 in Panay and 37 in Negros islands) chose to abandon the armed violence and surrendered. (FREEMAN)