THIRTY-six active members of a peasant organization in Bayambang town surrendered to joint elements of the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Army during a mass surrender ceremony in Barangay Amancosileng, Bayambang on October 31.

P/Colonel Jeff Fanged, Pangasinan Police Provincial director, said the surrenderers were verified members of the Nagkakaisang Magsasaka at Mangingisda ng Mangabol (NAMNAMA), an organization under the umbrella of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), a group affiliated with the party list Anak Pawis, tagged to have links with the communist movement..

They surrendered to the joint forces of the Bayambang Police Station, provincial Intelligence Unit of the Pangasinan Provincial Office and the 7th CMU Battalion of the Philippine Army based at Fort Magsaysay in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija as lead unit.

Fanged, who said the surrender of the group was a clear indication of their dissolution with the armed struggle, assured them that the government will provide them equal opportunities to start rebuilding their lives and of their families,

He added that the withdrawal of support of the farmers from the communist movement  serves as proof that that the government has always been open to finding ways for peaceful resolutions to end any form of conflict.

After they were properly documented and have taken their oath of allegiance to the Republic,  the 36 were turned over by PNP and PA to the custody of Barangay Captain Alexander Favi of Barangay Amancosileng. (Leonardo Micua)

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