GUIPOS, Zamboanga del Sur — Fifty (50) former rebels (FRs) spent their Christmas and enjoyed a festive holiday with the officers and men of the 53rd Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army and their families in an activity dubbed “Pamaskong Handog Para sa Kapayapaan” held at Camp David Sabido in barangay Poblacion, Guipos town.
The activity which is in collaboration with the Pagadian City Health Office and Pagadian Pharmacists Association was highlighted by medical and dental services, giving of shoes, raffle draw, fun games and boodle fight.
Lt Col.Marlowe Patria, 53rd IB commanding officer said Christmas is the season of giving and sharing with loved ones and less fortunate people, and this is an opportune time to spend with former rebels (FRs) and their families.
“We can find the true meaning and real spirit of Christmas when we give our time to others, especially the FRs,” Patria said who hailed them as essential partners of peace and development.
“We are spending time with FRs thru the Pamaskong Handog. We are not only giving gifts but also strengthening our relationship with them,” Patria added.
Meanwhile, Colonel Bagnus Gaerlan, Jr, 102nd brigade commander said the activity is conducted to show to the people the sincerity and commitment of the Philippine Army in serving the FRs.
“Ipinakita namin sa mga tao na ang mga sundalo ay makabansa makatao, at lalong-lalo na, maka-Diyos,” (We show to the people that the Philippine Army is patriotic, pro-people, and above all, pro-God), Gaerlan proudly said.
Gaerlan said the country is truly blessed to have President Rodrigo Duterte who seriously implemented the Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) for the rebels to avail livelihood assistance and re-integration package, and other benefits.
He appealed to the FRs to convince their comrades who are still in the hinterlands to surrender and go back to the folds of law to live peaceful and normal lives.
One FR @Aka Kim, 19 year-old said she was grateful that the activity was conducted by the unit for them to come together.
“Dako kaayo akong kalipay nga nakita nako ang akong mga kauban kanhi sa CPP/NPA nga mibalik na sa sabakan sa balaod ug malipayon nga nakig-uban sa ilang pamilya,” she said. (I am very grateful that I have seen my former comrades in the CPP/NPA who returned in the folds of law and now living with their families happily).
Kim surrendered to the 53rd IB in 2016 and have availed livelihood assistance and re-integration package under the E-CLIP of the government.
Another former rebel @Aka Angkol said it was his second time to attend a gathering of his fellow FRs, the first was during the fellowship for peace held last year, and the “Handog Pamasko sa Kapayapaan” held recently.
“I thank the 53rd IB, Philippine Army for the help and support they have provided to us. I wasn’t wrong in my decision to surrender to the government because of their sincerity in implementing the E-CLIP program,” Aka Angkol said in vernacular.
https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1016725
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