More rebels return under Solcom’s 'Balik Pamayanan Program'

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 3): More rebels return under Solcom’s 'Balik Pamayanan Program'
 
More rebels continue to return to the fold of law under the Southern Luzon Command’s (Solcom) “Balik Pamayanan Program,” according to Solcom Commander Lt. Gen. Caesar Ronnie F. Ordoyo on Thursday.

Ordoyo disclosed the rebel returnee program gained positive results as the command recently received two more rebel returnees Michael Carabio alias “Rey” and Jovencio Banayad alias “Libis,” both members of New People’s Army.

Ordoyo said the two communist insurgents have voluntary surrendered without firearms to the elements of the 74th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Bagupaye, Mulanay, Quezon through negotiations conducted by the counter-intelligence operatives of the COLT, 74IB.

The Solcom commanding general remarked the surrender is the result of the command’s efforts on intensifying its “Balik Pamayanan Program.”

The community-based and people-centered programs for the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) –National Democratic Front (NDF) – New People’s Army (NPA) or CNN-affected barangays have been regaining the trust and confidence of the people, according to Ordoyo.

He said government programs have been successful to win back members of the communist parties to abandon armed struggle after realizing the futility of engaging in armed violence and terroristic acts.

“Patuloy ang pagsuko ng mga rebelde at ito ay patunay na unti-unti nang nabubuwag. Humihina ang organisayon ng mga komunistang terorista dahil na rin sa pagnanais ng mga miyembro nito na mamuhay ng tama at mapayapa,” Ordoyo said.

Based on the initial debriefing, alias “Rey” was involved in the raid of the Municipal Police Station of San Narciso in December 2009.

It was learned that “Rey” was also one of the NPA members who ambushed the PNP troops in San Andres, Quezon while “Libis” figured in the Atimonan shooting and was wounded during the incident last January 6.

Following separate encounters between Solcom Army troops of the 9th Infantry Division and communist rebels in Barangays San Isidro and Sta. Barbara in Bulan, Sorsogon lately, Ordoyo assured focused and sustained joints operations are enforced.

He said the command’s sustained counter-insurgency operations are aimed at degrading the armed capability of the communist rebels and break their will to fight and compel them to abandon their armed struggle.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=572371