Thinking about the well-being of their families and to give a better future for their children, four high ranking NPA rebels in Capiz traded their guns for peace after turning over themselves to the government authorities.
The rebel returnees were identified as alias HASSIM, Vice Commanding Officer (VCO) of Igabon Platoon, Central Front, Komiteng Rehiyonal –
The couple went down from the mountains last July 11, 2013 and turned-over with them a hand grenade and a rifle grenade. While alias TERSO, Political guide of Igabon Platoon, Central Front, KR-P and alias ALLAN, Squad Leader of Baking, Igabon Platoon laid down their arms last Saturday July 20 and turned-over one (1) hand grenade, one (1) Cal .38 revolver with six (6) live ammunitions and Cal .357 revolver with three (3) live ammunitions. All are residents of Jamindan, Capiz.
Ltc Christopher Sab-it, Commander of 61st Infantry Battalion said in a statement, “The four NPA rebels decided to go down because they have been thinking about their families especially the future of their children. This is aside from the pressure brought by sustained military combat operations and the difficulties that they have been experiencing in the mountains. Alias TERSO, HASSIM and ALLAN have been in the rebel movement for nine (9) years while alias INDAY is almost six (6) years.
“Our arms are always open for peace. We welcome and help those who choose to live in peace. Just like our four (4) long lost brothers and sister, we will always welcome other NPA rebels who would want to go down and live normally. We in the AFP together with the local government officials and other stakeholders are always willing to help and assist you for the better future of your families,” BGen Aurelio Baladad, newly installed Commander of the 3rd Infantry Division said.
The former rebels (FRs) will receive cash from the AFP’s Guns for Peace Program based on the firearms remuneration package. The FRs can use the cash as seed money to start a new life in their respective community.
Last April, the AFP’s Guns for Peace Program was launched to give cash to the rebels who would trade their firearms in the name of peace. Among others, allocated for them are cash incentives as high as Php 200,000.00 for light machine guns, Php 50,000.00 for COLT M16 rifle, Php 60,000.00 for M14 rifle and Php 40,000.00 for M203 Grenade Launchers. The firearms remuneration package will support the FRs to start a new life for their families.
Aside from this, former rebels may also avail of the benefits from other government programs available like TESDA skills and livelihood programs and immediate cash assistance from the local government unit.
Meanwhile, the snowballing of surrenderees can be attributed to the stakeholders who helped in calling for peace together with the local government officials who in the spirit of Bayanihan, are working together for a sustainable development in the countryside.
In 2012, 13 NPA rebels in
Baladad further stressed “We in the Army here in Western Visayas together with other government security forces are all available in any time that NPA rebels would want to return to the government and trade their guns for peace. Also, our communication lines with the families of the NPA rebels are open.”
“We continue our call to our brothers and sisters who are still in the wrong path and continue with the armed struggle, to trade your guns in the name of peace, abandon the armed violence and join the mainstream society. If you choose to live a life in peace, the AFP and the government will give you a chance to live with your families and will assist you to start a new life and give a better future for your children,” added Baladad.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=548044
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