Rebel returnees yield firearms to 4ID

From the Philippine Information Agency (Mar 31): Rebel returnees yield firearms to 4ID

A total of 69 assorted firearms from 72 former rebels were yielded to army's 4th Infantry Division (4ID) on Thursday, March 27 in its ceremony dubbed “Pagababalik-Loob II.”

These 72 former rebels were regular New People’s Army (NPA) members while others were members of the Milita Ng Bayan (MB) operating in the mountains of Caraga and Region 10. Of these returnees, 48 come from Bukidnon, 18 from Agusan del Sur, three from Surigao del Sur, one from Agusan del Norte and two from Misamis Oriental.

General Emmanuel T. Bautista, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) during the ceremony said that he is thankful that these former rebels have left the mountains and returned to the AFP.

He said that with the bigger problems faced by the country today we should not be fighting against each other but instead go hand in hand in a peaceful way to development.

He cited that the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement of the Bangsamoro (CAB) was one testament that understanding can be achieved in a peaceful way, without the use of any arms.

He said that it’s time for peace, put end to poverty and stop the war.

Major General Ricardo R. Visaya, Commander of the 4ID also said that the Bangsamoro signing was a huge change to attaining peace in the country.

Meanwhile, he said that cash and livelihood assistance will be provided for these rebel returnees including that from the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).

Through the AFP Gun for Peace Program (AFP GPP), a total of P2.092 million is given in exchange to the firearms these former rebels surrendered. The different local government units will also grant them financial assistance from the Social Integration and Livelihood Programs.

Also, a joint effort of the 4ID, Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of National Defense (DND), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Nestle Philippines Inc. is to give them livelihood assistance.

The 4ID offers each former rebel one hectare of land in Camp Kibaritan, Kalilangan Bukidnon to be planted with coffee. The Philippine Army initially allocated a total of 200 hectares for the former rebels from its military reservation.

MGen Visaya encourages comrades of these former NPA rebels to come down from the mountains for a better future for their families.

In a testimony given by former rebel Aikee Guinsod Montenegro, 22 years old Manobo from Agusan that the reason he left the NPA was the extreme hardship, fear, loneliness, physical drain and hunger experienced in the mountains.

He said that if he remained in the mountain, he will always be in the dark and will have no future. He asked himself, “Why will I remain to be a slave here?”

http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=2611396256741