Six NPA rebels surrender on President Duterte’s first SONA

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jul 27): Six NPA rebels surrender on President Duterte’s first SONA

At least six New People’s Army (NPA) rebels—including two women and one minor—surrendered to the Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Battalion, 4th Infantry Division after President Rodrigo Roa Duterte announced an immediate unilateral ceasefire between the government forces and the CPP-NPA-NDF during his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on 25 July 2016.

The rebel returnees were from Higaonon tribe who were active members of Guerilla Front 4B of Northern Central Mindanao Regional Committee.

The returnees pledged allegiance to the government by singing the national anthem with their right hands over their hearts.

Speaking on behalf of his former comrades, a guerilla leader recalled how fighting became a lost cause after he and his fellow comrade-in-arms had to endure only the hard life in the mountains; sleeping under trees, starving, and fearful of fighting government forces without getting anything in return.

He said they fear that their surrender will endanger their lives and that of their families. Hence, they requested authorities to initially withhold their identities.

Authorities said the rebels will undergo the process of enrolling in the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) where they will receive government incentives.

Lt Col Lennon G Babilonia, 8IB commanding officer, said their surrender represents the “whole of nation approach” as the President of Republic of the Philippines wants to end this perennial problem of communism—which is also imbibed in the Internal Peace and Security Plan Bayanihan, the government’s counterinsurgency program.

“I am very pleased that our Lumad brothers who joined the NPA rebels finally realized that resorting to violence is not the answer to solve their grievances against the government. I am also happy that these former NPA rebels were already enlightened that they finally decided to go back to mainstream society. In partnership with government agencies that extend financial, livelihood, educational, and other forms of assistance, we will continuously protect and serve poor families who are most vulnerable targets of NPA recruitment,” he said.

The army also assured that these rebel returnees will be assisted to live normal lives; far from danger of deception from any NPA groups.

Meanwhile, Babilonia has condemned NPA leaders who continually recruit individuals through deception and lies to join armed struggle.

“We condemn the NPA leaders for always feeding wrong information just to deceive our people, most especially the Lumads, to join their armed struggle against the government. I am calling them to lay down their arms and give peace a chance. We will work hand in hand to address local issues without resorting to armed violence. We will find a win-win solution in attaining peace and development. We all want peace! It is about time that we work together as one nation with only one purpose; to unite in order to achieve peace and progress in our communities,” he said.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1501469610076/six-npa-rebels-surrender-on-president-duterte-s-first-sona