Fifty-three
New People Army (NPA) fighters have surrendered to the units of the Capiz-based
3rd Infantry Division for the first nine months of 2013.
Major
Ray C. Tiongson, the unit spokesperson, attributes this to their intensified
"Bayanihan Team" operations.
Tiongson
added the rebels also surrendered three high-powered firearms, 10 low-powered
guns, two hand grenades and one rifle grenade.
Recently,
a certain Jerome Billamac alias "Maisa" turned himself in to Negros
Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and was accompanied by barangay officials.
Billamac,
24, a resident of Sitio Katipunan, Barangay San Roque, San Jose
He
was a member of the NPA involved in several encounters with the government
security forces in Negros Oriental.
Billamac
was the vice squad leader and a machine gunner of Squad 2, Sentro de Grabidad
(SDG), Southeast Front (SEF), Komiteng Rehiyonal-Sentral Bisayas (KR-SB)
operating in the hinterlands of Negros Oriental.
“This
indicates the waning strength of the CPP-NPA and support from the people. The
people support the democratic government and believe in the government’s
principle of 'Daang Matuwid' as espoused by our President His Excellency
Benigno S. Aquino III,” 3rd Infantry Division commander Brigadier Gen. Aurelio
B. Baladad said.
“More
rebels continue to realize the futility of armed violence and believe in the
objectives of the Internal Peace and Security Plan 'Bayanihan' as well as in
the sincerity of the government in bringing peace and development in the countryside,"
he added.
Last
May, two former rebels in Negros Oriental who returned to mainstream society
have received a P50,000 financial assistance each through the government’s
Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP).
The
cash given to former rebels as livelihood assistance aims to ensure their
successful integration to the community and to improve their socio-economic
status.
Billamac
on his part will also receive and avail of the same assistance and benefits
from the local government after going through the process to be facilitated by
the military.
Meanwhile,
four high ranking NPA rebels in Panay traded
their guns for the future of their families in July of this year.
The
ex-rebels received cash from the AFP Guns for Peace Program which they used as
seed money for livelihood while living in peace with their love ones.
The
AFP’s Guns for Peace Program offers cash incentive to members of the NPA who
return to mainstream society with their firearms.
For
every high-powered firearm turned-over to the government, immediate cash
incentive is given. The seed money is intended to start a new life for the
rebels while transitioning back to the community.
Among
others, allocated for them are cash incentives as high as P200,000 for light
machine guns, P50,000 for Colt M-16 rifle, P60,000 for M-14 carbine and P40,000
for M-203 grenade launchers.
Aside
from this, former rebels may also avail of the skills training seminar for
their livelihood to start a new life with a bright future ahead for their
families.
“Much
remains to be done. We should stop fighting first before we can truly achieve
peace. We continue to call on other NPA rebels to pursue the right path and be
part in building a better community instead of fighting the government
authorities," Baladad stressed.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=562955
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