BISLIG CITY, Surigao del Sur -- Four exhausted members of the New People’s Army (NPA) rebels have voluntarily submitted themselves to the troops of 75th Infantry Battalion (75IB) through the joint effort of its Community Support Program (CSP) recently in the area.
The surrenderees were identified as Hilario Desinga y Macaldo alias Roco 59 years old; Jaime Cadiog y Lingutan also known as Dondon, 44 years old; Kristian Bentosa y Basabas alias Boyet, 32 years old; both were Militia ng Bayan (MB) from Purok 5, Barangay Cabantao, Rosario, Agusan del Sur; and Reynaldo Verona y Tivis alias El of Sitio Bagong Silang, Barangay Bayugan 3 of said municipality.
They turned-over one caliber .30 M1 carbine rifle; one 9mm UZI Pistol; one M203 grenade Launcher; four bandoliers; 12 carbine magazines; one cap 2 IED; 145 rounds of carbine ammunition; various NPA books; one improvised caliber .45; and one improvised 12 gauge shotgun with four ammunition.
In his statement, Tivis said the NPAs are no longer fighting for the worthy armed struggle but more of wrong principles tainted with corruption and disappointments contrary to the promises of their NPA leaders to them.
The four surrenderees are now in the custody of the military and they are being processed to become beneficiaries of the Enhanced Comprehensive Localized Integration Program (E-CLIP). Once approved, they will be able to avail of financial assistance of up to P65,000, including free housing and free education benefits. They will also undergo the reintegration process, which will prepare them for their return to the community to live peacefully with their families. Further, this program is an amnesty program offered to the NPA rebels who chose to return to the folds of law as part of the commitment of the government in disintegrating the NPAs to promote peace and progress.
Data from the army show that in the first and second quarter of 2019, 86 NPAs have already surrendered to the 75th Infantry Battalion alone. Moreover, 16 firearms of assorted calibers were also turned over by the “returnees.” (75IB/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
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