CAMP AQUINO, Tarlac City — Along with the peaceful commemoration of the farmers from the Malayang Magbubukid ng Asyenda Luisita (MALAYA) for the 19th anniversary of the Hacienda Luisita Incident, 23 former members of a communist-affiliated mass organization –Alyansa ng Magbubukid ng Asyenda Luisita (AMBALA) formally withdrew their support from the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) at Barangay Balete, Tarlac City, on Thursday (Nov. 16).
The withdrawal of support was witnessed and welcomed by the Northern Luzon Command, AFP, and member agencies of the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict 3 (RTF-ELCAC), emphasizing that the withdrawal of support is a significant setback for the remaining CTG in Tarlac, attempting to recover their missing lost mass support, particularly in the farmer sector.
The 23 will be joining the Malayang Magbubukid ng Hacienda Luisita (MALAYA), an organization and cooperative of former supporters and members of CTG in Tarlac.
“Salamat, hindi kayo magsisisi sa ginawa niyong pagbabalik-loob,” assured Florida “Ka Pong” Sibayan, chairwoman of the MALAYA as she welcomed the former members of AMBALA.
According to her, the withdrawal of support from the CTG is very timely to mark the 19th anniversary of the Hacienda Luisita Incident. She said that it demonstrates the desires for peace and progress of every farmer in Hacienda Luisita rather than the violence and insurgency brought by the CTG.
She also hopes that their cooperative will set an example to encourage others who are still with the CTG to give up and join the government. (UnliNews Online)
