About 100 farmers withdrew their support from the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) and disassociated from the Alyansang Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luson (AMGL) under the Kilusan ng Magsasaka ng Pilipinas, a legal front organization and mass base of the CTG in Central Luzon in a ceremony held at Barangay Imelda Multi-purpose hall, Samal, Bataan on February 25, 2022.
They burned the CTG flags, condemning the atrocities and deceptions of the CTG, and expressed their membership withdrawal from the AMGL, pledging their allegiance and commitment of support to the government’s anti- insurgency campaign.
During the program, former AMGL members oriented on Executive Order No. 70, or the whole nation’s approach to ending local communist armed conflict, as well as the programs and services of various government agencies for farmers through the Situational Awareness and Knowledge Management (SAKM) Cluster of the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC).
Former AMGL Secretary General Juanita Reyes assured that they will support the government’s peace and development efforts.
“Gusto naming lasapin ang pagbabago, napagtanto po namin na hindi na po kailangan makipaglaban sa gobyerno para makamtan ang repormang ito, kaya kusang loob po kaming nagbabalik-loob sa gobyerno para makipagtulungan para magkaroon ng payapa at progresibong bayan.”
She also hopes that their concerns particularly on land reforms will be heard.
“Kung noon ay hindi naaasikaso ang aming mga isyu, dahil alam nila na ang nasa likod namin ay NPA, sana naman ngayon na nandito kami sa gobyerno ay maipakita ang malasakit sa amin.”
In his message, Samal Mayor Aida Macalinao representative, Atty Tony Boy Roman congratulated the farmers for abandoning AMGL and assured free legal assistance for the farmers. “Tutol po ako sa paggamit ng dahas para makamtan ang sinasabing pagbabago, kung may isyu, kailangang pag-usapan at hanapan ng solusyon, bukas po ang aming opisina, kung may gusto po kayong pag-usapan lalong lalo na pagdating sa inyong mga karapatan na nakapaloob sa batas bilang mga magsasaka.”
Meanwhile, 703rd Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army Executive Officer LTC Julito Recto PA and PCol David Poclay, Chief Regional Community Affairs and Development Division PRO3 both commended the farmers on their decision to formally sever ties with the CTG as well as their voluntary support for the government in its pursuit of peace and order.
The AMGL’s withdrawal of support from CTG was proposed by the 1st Civil Relations Group, CRSAFP following a series of consultations meetings with RTF-ELCAC to reach the remaining AMGL members in Bataan and it is expected that similar activities will occur in the following days as a sign of the CTG’s continuous slowdown and eventual defeat.
The farmers will join the Samahan ng Magsasaka ng Bataan (SMB), an organization formed by the first group of former AMGL members in Bataan who withdrew support from the CTG in May 2021.
Authenticated by: COL ARNEL B CABUGON (GSC) PA
Group Commander, 1st Civil Relations Group, CRSAFP
Date: February 25, 2022
