Two members of the New People's Army will receive P25,000 in cash and
another P50,000 in livelihood assistance after they surrendered to the military
in Northern Samar on October 27.
Ruel Sirse, an NPA squad member, and Melly Esponilla, a medic for the NPA,
will receive the money under the Armed Forces of the Philippines Guns For Peace
program.
The military launched the Guns for Peace program in April as an incentive
for rebels to turn themselves and their armaments in. Under the program, a light machine gun gets P200,000, M14
rifles net P60,000 each, and M16 rifles are worth P50,000 a piece.
The two surrendered to the 34th Infantry Battalion under Lieutenant Colonel
Rodrigo Ilustrisimo while the Army was conducting peace and development
activities in Barangay Rizal in Gamay, Northern Samar.
Cash incentives and a chance to raise a family away from harm and violence
spurred the two, who are live-in partners, to seek out the AFP. Four high-ranking NPA leaders turned in their guns in
July for similar reasons.
Sirse and Esponilla will also receive P15,000 in additional assistance from
the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Peace Process. They may also apply
to join the Local Social Integration Program of Northern Samar's local
government unit.
"We welcome the surrender of the two NPA members and we wish them well. The
[8th Infantry Division] fully supports and advocates the government’s peace
program. Rest assured that your Army in Eastern Visayas is always ready and
willing to assist NPA rebels who wish to return to the mainstream," Brigadier
General Jet B. Velarmino, division commander, said.
The surrender of the two NPA rebels is in contrast with actions taken by
their former comrades in recent weeks.
The NPA in Agusan del Sur has yet to release five of six people they abducted on October 25. They freed one hostage a day later and demanded the pull-out of government troops and the disarmament of local militia in Loreto town. Five of the hostages were candidates in the barangay elections held on Monday.
The NPA in Agusan del Sur has yet to release five of six people they abducted on October 25. They freed one hostage a day later and demanded the pull-out of government troops and the disarmament of local militia in Loreto town. Five of the hostages were candidates in the barangay elections held on Monday.
According to the military, elections serve as a money-making machine for
the rebels.
Brig. Gen. Domingo Tutaan, Armed Force of the Philippines spokesperson, said on October 24 that the NPA collected “permits-to-campaign” fees from candidates in the barangay elections, a repeat of the racket run by the group in the May 2013 midterm elections, where they reportedly earned P26 million.
Brig. Gen. Domingo Tutaan, Armed Force of the Philippines spokesperson, said on October 24 that the NPA collected “permits-to-campaign” fees from candidates in the barangay elections, a repeat of the racket run by the group in the May 2013 midterm elections, where they reportedly earned P26 million.
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