209 Aurora rebels rejoin gov’t

CASIGURAN, Aurora — In a powerful show of unity and hope, 209 former members of the CPP-NPA publicly renounced their armed struggle during a landmark ceremony in Aurora province on 28 October — one of the biggest mass surrenders in the province’s history.

The event, organized by the Philippine Army’s 91st Infantry Battalion under Brig. Gen. Eugenio Julio C. Osias IV, highlighted the government’s push to end decades of insurgency through community-based peacebuilding.

Held at a packed agricultural court in Barangay Marikit, the ceremony saw former rebels — many joined by their families — pledge allegiance to the Philippine government. Representatives from more than a dozen national agencies attended, signaling a coordinated effort to tackle the roots of rebellion: poverty, lack of education, and limited livelihood opportunities.

From conflict to community

Brig. Gen. Osias described the event as “a reckoning with the past and a bridge to healing,” emphasizing that families and communities “bear the deepest scars” of war.
“Your choice today isn’t just about laying down arms — it’s about rebuilding trust and securing futures,” he told the former rebels, urging them to help drive local development.

Retired Brig. Gen. Abraham Claro Casis, representing the national peace process office, called the mass surrender a “death knell” for CTG influence in Aurora. “These individuals aren’t just withdrawing support — they’re reclaiming their voices,” he said.

A blueprint for peace

The event embodied the government’s Whole-of-Nation approach, which unites the military, civic groups, and local leaders in addressing conflict through social and economic inclusion. Agencies such as TESDA, DTI, and DSWD pledged immediate support, offering livelihood training, microloans, and psychosocial assistance — addressing long-standing criticisms that past reintegration efforts lacked sustainable aid.

Once a stronghold of the communist movement, Aurora has seen a 70 percent drop in insurgent activity since 2023, thanks to infrastructure projects and intensified community dialogues.

Challenges ahead

While the ceremony marked progress, many recognize that true peace will require more than oaths. Advocates point to lingering land disputes and poor access to healthcare as key challenges.
“Surrendering is just the first step,” a DILG field officer said. “The real work is making sure no one feels the need to take up arms again.”

Now officially recognized as “peace partners,” the former rebels will undergo debriefing and livelihood training. Their public oath — signed alongside military and civic leaders — symbolizes a rare harmony between grassroots needs and national goals.

Why it matters

Aurora’s experience reflects a broader shift in the country’s counterinsurgency strategy — one that prioritizes inclusion over militarization. With over 1,200 former rebels reintegrated across Central Luzon since 2022, Aurora’s model offers a hopeful path forward for lasting peace, one community at a time.