Four Capiz rebels choose peace, abandon armed struggle

From the Philippine Information Agency (Oct 21): Four Capiz rebels choose peace, abandon armed struggle

Four members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Capiz have abandoned the armed struggle and chose to live a life in peace after turning over themselves to the government authorities.

Public Affair Office head Maj. Ray Tiongson of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division disclosed that the government has given financial assistance to the four former rebels to opted to live in peace with their families.

Tiongson said that in a simple ceremony at the Capiz Provincial Capitol, Governor Victor Tanco, Maricel Bantilo of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) and Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Violeta Silva  turned over the financial assistance to the said former rebels, October 18.

The said former rebels include Celso G Francisco alias Cielo/Celo, Joey O Francisco alias Palos, Jimmy S Jacinto alias Gimo and Rodelio Delia, all residents who received P50,000 livelihood assistance from the government in their desire to start a new life with their families and loved ones.

According to him, 301st Infantry Brigade Commander Arnold Quiapo, whose area covers the whole Island of Panay, stressed that the four rebels have decided to go down because they believe that armed struggle and fighting is not the solution to the issues of insurgency and that there are peaceful means to resolve the issues.

He added that 11 NPA members within the 3ID area of responsibility have abandoned the armed struggle in third quarter of this year; eight of them came from Panay Island.

In July 2013, four high ranking NPA rebels also from Capiz have traded their guns as they  thought about the future of their families, and abandoned the armed struggle in the name of peace.

The former rebels said the armed struggle have only brought sufferings, senseless deaths and miseries to the people, noting that the military, local government units, other government agencies, civil society organizations and other stakeholders are working together in the spirit of Bayanihan, in resolving the issues of insurgency, he said.

On the other hand, 3ID Commander Aurelio Baladad, pointed out that the Internal Peace and Security Plan Bayanihan has been gaining momentum as more rebels in the region have opted to return to the mainstream society, he said.

Baladad, he said, reiterates the call to other NPA rebels to go down and trade their guns in the name of peace, abandon the armed violence and join the mainstream society and the government will assist them to start a new life and give their families and children a better future.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=991382332265