NPA militiaman gives up

From the Mindanao Times (Sep 1): NPA militiaman gives up

A Militia ng Bayan member of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered to authorities in Tampakan, South Cotabato on Thursday.

Maj. Ewin Felongco, the acting civil-military operations officer of the 1002nd Infantry Brigade, said Jonathan Pilay Dawang, alias Ka Caloy, a member of Yunit Milisya (Yumil), surrendered to the joint elements of the 27th Infantry Battalion and the South Cotabato Provincial Police Office in Tampakan on Aug. 30.

Felongco said the surrender was made possible through the help of the local government unit of Tampakan.

Lt. Col. Jones Otida, the commander of the 27IB, said Dawang, 32, a resident of Sitio Tukay-mal, Barangay Tablu, was convinced by his family and barangay officials to surrender.

Otida said Dawang was a member of Yumil under Guerilla Front 72 that operates in the quad-boundaries of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Davao del Sur and Sarangani provinces.

Dawang also surrendered one carbine rifle and two improvised explosive devices with two blasting cap and electric wire.

“I surrendered because I wanted to have normal and peaceful life with my family,” Dawang said. “I don’t want to experience hardships and difficulties anymore.”

The returnee said he feared that he might be killed in an encounter.

“Besides, the people here don’t want NPA anymore to enter in our barangay,” said Dawang who is now undergoing custodial debriefing.

He will be enrolled to the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) after verification and validation processes.

Otida said Dawang will be receiving same benefits as a regular NPA member in E-CLIP.

He will be provided with P21,000 reintegration assistance, P15,000 immediate assistance, P50,000 livelihood assistance, additional cash for his surrendered firearms and the most important, housing program for his family.

http://mindanaotimes.net/npa-militiaman-gives-up/