Kalinaw News: 44 Former NPA Rebels Vow to Live Renewed Peaceful Lives

From Kalinaw News (Jun 29, 2022): 44 Former NPA Rebels Vow to Live Renewed Peaceful Lives



Malaybalay City, BUKIDNON – A total of 44 members of Communist Party of the Philippines completed the De-radicalization Program for Former Rebels Batch 1-2022 at Camp Osito Bahian, Malaybalay City on June 27, 2022.

The participants of the said training are mostly from Bukidnon and Agusan del Sur Province. Michael B Mantikinon a.k.a Michael, Front Operational Command, Guerrilla Front Malayag led the group that also include a Political Instructors, Squad Leaders as well as Platoon Medics.

The program was also graced by Ms Marieta D Daa-yata, Social Worker Officer III of DSWD Region 10 as keynote speaker. “Kami nagapasalamat sa atong kasundalohan labi na gyud sa 403rd Brigade sa ilang makanunayon nga pag tabang kaninyo nga nanginahanglan. Ang DSWD isip usa sa mga partner agencies, andam kami nga muhatag sa tanang programa nga para kaninyo nga kanhing membro sa NPA. Kami manghinaot nga tinud-anay na ang inyong pag balik sa atong pang gobyerno. Ug karung hapona kami usab magahatag ug P10,000.00 matag-usa kaninyo isip financial nga ayuda.” said Ms Daa-yata.

The De-radicalization program is the first part of mainstreaming process for former rebels. Once completed, they will then be admitted to the halfway house to be managed by the provincial government of Bukidnon and where they will undergo further trainings and capacity-building while waiting for the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) benefits that they will be receiving.

The training also aims to assist former rebels go back to their old selves’ law-abiding citizens of the community and as God-fearing individuals.

The program started on June 13 and ended this afternoon. During the 15-day training, participants were made to understand their respective roles as peace-building partners of the government to help achieve its peace and development goals.

In her impression during the closing ceremony, Chriza Paluga said, “Ako nagapasalamat niini nga programa sa atong gobyerno, kung diin mas nasabtan nako kung unsa gyud ang gusto mahitabo sa atong pang gobyerno para kanamo nga nahisalaag sa tul-id nga dalan. Ako usab naga-awhag sa among mga kaubanan nga anaa pa sa kabukiran nga mubalik na ug musurender sa atong balaod aron usab kamo makatagamtam sa kahapsay sa pamuyo nga among nasinatian karun”

Michael Mantikinon in his statement, said, “Paghuman nako sa maong programa ako nalamdagan nga aduna diay proseso nga ginasunod ang atong gobyerno aron kita maabutan sa mga programa nga para kanato. Kay dili diay ing-ana kadali ang paghatag sa atoang mga gusto ilabi na kung kalabotan kini sa estado sa atong pagpamuyo. Mao ng akong ginpaabot sa akong mga kaubanan nga pataason pa nato ang atong pasensya ug pagsabot ug atong tabangan ang atong gobyerno aron mas mapadali ang pag proseso sa mga butang nga atong gikinahanglan.”

BGen Ferdinand T Barandon, Commander of 403rd Infantry Brigade in his message “When the President signed E.O 70 in December 2018, he was emphatic to put an end to the, 52-year insurgency. He also emphasized that the military cannot do it alone. It needs the help of the whole country that is why E.O 70 implementation puts premium on the “Whole of Nation” approach. Finally, the 403 Infantry “Peacemaker” Brigade is hoping that you have returned to the folds of the law. Our hearts are filled with gratitude knowing that you have finally returned home”.

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/44-former-npa-rebels-vow-to-live-renewed-peaceful-lives/