Twenty-two former members of communist terrorist groups formally pledged their loyalty to the Philippine government Wednesday, taking an Oath of Allegiance during a peace ceremony in Malabon City.

The event, held at the Malabon Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, was organized by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) National Capital Region Command (NCRCOM) through its 11th Civil-Military Operations Battalion.

By taking the oath, the 22 individuals voluntarily renounced armed struggle and reaffirmed their loyalty to the Philippine Constitution as part of the government’s ongoing reintegration program.

Maj. Gen. Gregorio B. Hernandez Jr., commander of NCRCOM, emphasized during the ceremony that lasting peace requires sustained collaboration between government agencies, local leaders, and civil society.

“Every individual who chooses the path of peace contributes to a safer and more resilient society,” Hernandez said, reaffirming the military’s commitment to supporting reconciliation and social reintegration.

The event brought together officials from national agencies and local government units, including representatives from the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the Malabon City Police.

During the ceremony, Arlene T. Gueva, a former member of the Samahan ng Nagkakaisang Mamamayan sa Upper Catmon, shared her testimony on choosing to abandon armed conflict in favor of community reintegration. Barangay officials from Maysilo and Catmon also attended to express support for the returning residents.