BALER, Jan. 2 -- At least 86 former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People's Army (CPP-NPA) and their supporters in the provinces of Nueva Ecija and Aurora withdrew their support from the terrorist group and pledged allegiance to the national government in the year 2022.

The withdrawal of support was facilitated by the Philippine Army's 91st Infantry "Sinagtala" Battalion (91IB) whose area of jurisdiction covers this province and three towns of Nueva Ecij -- Bongabon, Gabaldon and Laur.

Lt. Col. Julito B. Recto Jr., commander of the 91IB, said on Monday that the continuous joint efforts of the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) and its persistent campaign against terrorism resul...