Gen. Francisco Patrimonio, commander of the 302 nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army in Negros Oriental, yesterday urged local government officials to help the military in reaching out to members of the New People's Army and encouraging them to return to the folds of the law.
He said that, in some cases, NPA members feel safer and more secure when they surrender to local officials instead of to the military.
The military is looking for conduits or linkages that can reach out to the insurgents and encourage them to lay down their arms and return to mainstream society, Patrimonio said.
He cited the recent surrender of a member of the NPA South East Front to Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo, through the help of Vice Mayor Nelson Ruiz of the
Jerome Rio Billamac, “alias Maisa/Imper”, allegedly of Squad 2 of the Sentro de Gravidad NPA South East Front, and a resident of Sitio Katipunan, Barangay San Roque, San Jose, was accompanied by civilians when he surrendered to the governor last week, Patrimonio said.
Billamac was turned over to Col. Christopher Estella, 302 nd Brigade deputy commander, and officials of the 79 th Infantry Battalion. Patrimonio said his identity was validated by intelligence operatives and former rebels.
Once an NPA member surrenders to civilians, he or she is turned over to the military for processing, so that his or her name can be checked against the record of suspected rebels, Patrimonio said.
He said that, after proper procedures are undertaken, Billamac will receive financial assistance from the national government, through the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, under its Comprehensive Local Integration Program.
An initial P5,000 in cash will be released for his immediate needs and P50,000 as livelihood assistance, after he is trained in his choice of livelihood, that could be livestock raising or operating a small store, he added.
The livelihood program is implemented by the OPAPP, in partnership with the governor's office and line agencies.
http://www.visayandailystar.com/2013/September/04/negor2.htm
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