KORONADAL City, South Cotabato, Nov. 14 (PIA) -- Five New People’s Army (NPA) fighters have surrendered to Philippine Army’s 27th Infantry Battalion based nearby Tupi town on Tuesday.
1Lt. Efren James Halawig, Civil Military Operations officer of 27th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army, identified the surrenderees as Alias Toto, Diego, Ebing, and Alex/Peret, all members of of Sub Regional Committee-ALIP, Far South Mindanao Region (FSMR) from the area of Tampakan.
During their surrender, the NPA fighters handed over to government troops several firearms, including an AK47, an M16 colt rifle, a Garand rifle, an M1 Carbine, and an anti-tank mine.
Another NPA fighter, identified Alias Randy from Maasim, Sarangani Province, yielded to government troops and laid down his AK47. Randy is member of Sub-Regional Committee-Musa of FSMR.
In an interview, Randy said that government efforts to reach far-flung communities with development projects in contrast to the difficulty of life in the revolutionary movement has encouraged him to return to the fold of law.
"Daghan na kaayo ang pag bago sa pagkakaron sa atong pang gobyerno. Naa na mga proyekto para sa katawhan sumala sa mga farm-to-market road, libreng edukasyon, pagtabang sa pang lawas ug uban pang mga tabang" he said.
(So much has changed in the government. Projects such as farm-to-market roads, free education, health assistance and many others are already being implemented for the people.)
Halawig noted that besides the presence of government in the communities, the series of surrenders by members of the communist terrorist group in South Cotabato and Sarangani may also be attributed to the success of government troop operations, including the recent arrest of their top leader Nicanor Pason alias Kumander Costan.
Costan was wounded and arrested during a joint operation of the 27th IB and the police in Maitum, Sarangani on October 11. Also arrested during the incident were Josephine Sumagaysay, Reynaldo Loyola, and Bernard Presbetero alias Kumander Aldrin.
“With the implementation of President Duterte’s Executive Order No. 70, the ranks within the communist terrorist group in our area of operation is already dwindling,” said Lt.Col. Jones Otida, commanding officer of 27th IB.
“This is why we thank the people who have complemented our efforts by adding social pressure for the NPA terrorists to finally surrender.”
As rebel returnees, former NPA fighters may avail of government aid through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) that aims to prepare them for their eventual return to the mainstream society.
Under the E-CLIP, a former rebel is assured of safety and security guarantees by the law enforcement agencies and support for relocation for the FR and his or her immediate family
He or she will also be given immediate assistance of P15,000 for mobilization expenses while being enrolled in the E-CLIP, livelihood assistance of P50,000, and reintegration assistance of P21,000 to defray subsistence while in custody of the receiving unit and other incidental expenses such as securing birth certificate, identification card and others. An FR can also receive remuneration for every firearm surrendered.
Other help from government may include enrolment in PhilHealth, skills training and livelihood assistance from TESDA, DOLE, and DTI, housing from the National Housing Authority, and many others. (27TH IB, Phil Army/DED/PIA XII)
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