Tuesday, December 3, 2019

Ex-NPA rebels, kin in NegOcc still get gov’t support

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 3, 2019): Ex-NPA rebels, kin in NegOcc still get gov’t support (By Nanette Guadalquiver)



MEDICAL, DENTAL MISSION. Officials (from left) Brig. Gen. Rene Pamuspusan, director of Police Regional Office-6; Col. Romeo Baleros, director of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office; and Brig. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, commander of the Philippine Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade, join the medical and dental mission for former New People’s Army members in Escalante City, Negros Occidental on Nov. 30, 2019. Some 1,400 persons availed of various services during the activity. (Photo courtesy of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office)

BACOLOD CITY -- Some 1,400 former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) and their families in Escalante City, Negros Occidental have availed of free medical and dental services, which is part of the government’s continuing support following their surrender last September.

Col. Romeo Baleros, police provincial director, said on Tuesday the mission held last weekend was a follow-through of the same services provided to them more than two months earlier.

The activity was participated in by government agencies under the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC), including the Police Regional Office-Western Visayas (PRO-6) headed by Brig. Gen. Rene Pamuspusan and the Philippine Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade led by Brig. Gen. Benedict Arevalo.


“We went back to check on them. We gave out medicines. They’re okay,” Baleros said.

He added that despite the acknowledged security threat, the former NPA members have remained united and solid in their resolve to return to the fold of the law.

“They are working together to defend themselves from their former comrades’ attack or assault. So far, we don’t have reported incidents in Escalante involving rebel returnees,” Baleros said.

They were among the 2,510 former NPA rebels and members who took their oath of allegiance to the Philippine government on September 20 as part of the North Negros Peace Summit hosted by the Escalante City government with the Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion.

Baleros said the large number of NPA members and supporters who left the communist rebel movement is an indication that these people believe that the government is sincere in helping them.

“Concerned government agencies really provide them the services they need. To address the issue of health services, we brought the health personnel to (them),” Baleros added.

Teams from the PRO-6 Regional Health Service, Vicente Gustilo District Hospital and Escalante City Health Office provided the medical and dental services.

Some of the beneficiaries availed of free haircut and massage, and free issuance of police clearance by the Escalante City Police Station.

Children were treated to a gift-giving program while adults participated in games.

The RTF-ELCAC is part of the National Task Force created through Executive Order No. 70 issued by President Rodrigo Duterte.

The task force aims to harmonize the delivery of basic services to the vulnerable people living in conflict areas through a “whole of the nation” approach as a means of ending communist insurgents, attaining sustainable and inclusive peace.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1087800

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