Wednesday, April 9, 2014

10 rebels surrender to SOLCOM; yield arms to start life anew

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 9): 10 rebels surrender to SOLCOM; yield arms to start life anew

CAMP GUILLERMO NAKAR, Lucena City -- Ten communist rebels operating in the outskirts of Laguna, Rizal, Quezon and Masbate yielded to the Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM) troops at this camp on Monday in hopes of embracing a better life ahead.

SOLCOM commander Lt. Gen. Caesar Ronnie F. Ordoyo said six of the rebel-returnees also surrendered 10 rifle grenades, a fragmentation hand grenade and an improvised shotgun.

The military command here identified six of the surrenderees as Gigi Piston, alias Ely; Jay-Ar Suplido, alias Darwin; Michael Rutaquio, with aliases Dimsen, Jerico and Atan; Jonel Piston, alias Miguel; John John Buendicho, alias April; and Jobert Suplido, alias Arcel.

The other four rebels who yielded to authorities were Michael Tamayo, alias Jovan/Ronie/Jack in the underground movement; Noel Mantala, alias Ruel2, of Barangay Buenavista in Mulanay, Quezon; Emmanuel Nasayao, alias Jerik/Mark, and Marita Ortiz, also known as LJ/Mary Ann, both residents of Balay-Balay, Mauban, Quezon and used to operate in Quezon’s 4th and 3rd districts.

Tamayo surrendered at Barangay Palanas in Masbate.

Ordoyo lauded the troops for their persistent effort to bring back the rebels into the folds of the law.

He said that while they are focusing on securing communities, SOLCOM also encourages more returnees, especially those who want to abandon the armed struggle and start a new life.

The SOLCOM commanding general also thanked the surrenderees for responding to the government’s call for them to give up their lost cause and futile struggle and return to normal way of living.

“Rest assured that SOLCOM will continue to provide services and address your concerns and those of our people in need of government support through our various 'bayanihan' activities,” Ordoyo assured.

Ordoyo also remarked that the "government will sustain peace-keeping efforts and a policy of reconciliation for the misguided elements in our midst despite the NPA’s staging of violent attacks and senseless ambuscades on our medical services and health outreach teams in the far-flung areas."

The SOLCOM chief said, “As we continue to support national government’s thrust to maintain peace and development in the countryside, we will continuously invite our brothers and sisters to lay down their arms and surrender to the government and lead normal lives.”

Ordoyo said the government stands ready to assist the rebel returnees and support their aspirations for peaceful and normal lives ahead.

“Violence, especially through armed struggle, is not the answer to address our social problems. We can achieve justice if each one of us does his or her share in our sincere efforts and live the spirit of 'bayanihan' to heart,” Ordoyo inspired.

Meanwhile, another suspected rebel, Teodolo Lanillo Joven, alias Jun, was arrested by joint military and police elements in Barangay Rosario, Gumaca, Quezon on Tuesday for illegal possession of firearms through a search warrant issued by Judge Napoleon E. Matienzon of the Regional Trial Court Branch 62 here.

The latest surrender of former rebels this week brought the total number of returnees to 35 under the SOLCOM’s area of operation and these were already neutralized either by voluntary surrender or apprehension within the first quarter of the year.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=633879

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