From the Manila Times (Aug 1, 2022): Sulu watch on despite Abu losses (By Francis Earl Cueto)
PNP chief LtGen. Vicente Danao Jr.. Photo from Philippine National Police
DESPITE violent extremists surrendering or returning to the government, the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Sunday said there will be no let-up in its campaign and it will continue to monitor the peace and order situation in Sulu in southern Mindanao.
The PNP Officer in Charge Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. made the statement after some 100 former rebels surrendered on Saturday.
Danao expressed belief that while the road to lasting peace is a journey, they are not giving up hope that such would be realized.
"Their surrender is a milestone but we prepare ourselves to make things work for them. We want to avoid a similar situation when other recruits will be persuaded to join the rebels," he said in a statement on Sunday.
Danao said the former rebels will not regret making their choice to go back to the folds of the law.
DESPITE violent extremists surrendering or returning to the government, the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Sunday said there will be no let-up in its campaign and it will continue to monitor the peace and order situation in Sulu in southern Mindanao.
The PNP Officer in Charge Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. made the statement after some 100 former rebels surrendered on Saturday.
Danao expressed belief that while the road to lasting peace is a journey, they are not giving up hope that such would be realized.
"Their surrender is a milestone but we prepare ourselves to make things work for them. We want to avoid a similar situation when other recruits will be persuaded to join the rebels," he said in a statement on Sunday.
Danao said the former rebels will not regret making their choice to go back to the folds of the law.
READ: Ex-NPA rebels get livelihood grants
"We must make sure that they feel that the government is capable of helping them survive and thrive in life. The PNP has this innate task to keep them away from harm, so with the rest of our countrymen," he said.
At present, the PNP is coordinating with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other law enforcers to track movements of rebel and terror groups operating in in Sulu and other identified "red" zones.
Priority is given to areas where there is an intense need to deploy more personnel because of escalated violence there.
"Meanwhile, the PNP also continues to implement programs and outreach activities in far-flung areas to move basic services closer to them," Danao said.
READ: Bong Go seeks end to communist insurgency
The former violent extremists gave up to authorities in a formal ceremony held at the Sulu provincial gymnasium on Saturday.
A total of 22 firearms, both long and short, were also turned over during the event.
This achievement in the campaign against criminality and terrorism was attended by Danao, Interior Secretary Benjamin "Benhur" Abalos Jr. and Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan.
"This is a collaborative effort among law enforcers, government agencies and other stakeholders sharing a common goal to end violence in communities toward nation-building," Danao said.
"We must make sure that they feel that the government is capable of helping them survive and thrive in life. The PNP has this innate task to keep them away from harm, so with the rest of our countrymen," he said.
At present, the PNP is coordinating with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other law enforcers to track movements of rebel and terror groups operating in in Sulu and other identified "red" zones.
Priority is given to areas where there is an intense need to deploy more personnel because of escalated violence there.
"Meanwhile, the PNP also continues to implement programs and outreach activities in far-flung areas to move basic services closer to them," Danao said.
READ: Bong Go seeks end to communist insurgency
The former violent extremists gave up to authorities in a formal ceremony held at the Sulu provincial gymnasium on Saturday.
A total of 22 firearms, both long and short, were also turned over during the event.
This achievement in the campaign against criminality and terrorism was attended by Danao, Interior Secretary Benjamin "Benhur" Abalos Jr. and Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan.
"This is a collaborative effort among law enforcers, government agencies and other stakeholders sharing a common goal to end violence in communities toward nation-building," Danao said.
READ: Former rebels receive help from govt
The holistic approach to convince rebels and terrorists to go back to the folds of the law, he added, has an important component of assisting them in this fresh chapter of their lives.
"Proper coordination was done among government agencies and non-government organizations that pledged help for the rebel returnees," Danao said.
Food packs and monetary aid were given to those who surrendered.
The holistic approach to convince rebels and terrorists to go back to the folds of the law, he added, has an important component of assisting them in this fresh chapter of their lives.
"Proper coordination was done among government agencies and non-government organizations that pledged help for the rebel returnees," Danao said.
Food packs and monetary aid were given to those who surrendered.
READ: NTF-Elcac offers amnesty to insurgents
The surrenderers will also be monitored to track progress in their way of living.
"More than just being law enforcers, the PNP stands to ultimately promote lasting peace. An active government that is willing to listen to the people is the key to unlocking the barrier so the citizens can appreciate the programs and services that they ought to receive," Danao said.
The surrenderers came from the municipalities of Indanan, Omar, Maimbong, Panamao, Talipao and Patikul.
They will be enrolled in the government's Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-Clip) to receive financial and livelihood assistance.
Under the E-Clip grant, qualified beneficiaries are entitled to guaranteed safety and security; cash assistance such as P50,000 livelihood aid; P15,000 for mobilization expenses; and firearms remuneration amounting to the value of turned-in weapons.
The E-Clip is a flagship program of the Duterte administration that aims to help members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front and Militia ng Bayan to restore allegiance to the Philippine government.
It was expanded in 2020 to include former violent extremists as beneficiaries.
"Sattar," 41, one of the surrenderers who has been an Abu Sayyaf combatant for over 10 years, bared during the ceremony that they were forced to take up arms because of their circumstances in life, particularly the lack of opportunities.
"We were forced to fight the government because of our situation in life. But now, the government is showing sincerity in helping us, so we want to return and start over again," he said in the vernacular.
Abalos said the government, through programs such as the E-Clip, is aiming to address the roots of the country's problem on terrorism.
"We will make sure na uunlad ang agrikultura at turismo ng (that agriculture and tourism will progress in) Sulu. We will make sure that our children will live in a good, better and brighter future," he added.
The former rebels also received food packs from the Bangsamoro government's Ministry of Social Services and Development and cash assistance worth P222,000 from private stakeholders.
The surrenderers will also be monitored to track progress in their way of living.
"More than just being law enforcers, the PNP stands to ultimately promote lasting peace. An active government that is willing to listen to the people is the key to unlocking the barrier so the citizens can appreciate the programs and services that they ought to receive," Danao said.
The surrenderers came from the municipalities of Indanan, Omar, Maimbong, Panamao, Talipao and Patikul.
They will be enrolled in the government's Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-Clip) to receive financial and livelihood assistance.
Under the E-Clip grant, qualified beneficiaries are entitled to guaranteed safety and security; cash assistance such as P50,000 livelihood aid; P15,000 for mobilization expenses; and firearms remuneration amounting to the value of turned-in weapons.
The E-Clip is a flagship program of the Duterte administration that aims to help members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front and Militia ng Bayan to restore allegiance to the Philippine government.
It was expanded in 2020 to include former violent extremists as beneficiaries.
"Sattar," 41, one of the surrenderers who has been an Abu Sayyaf combatant for over 10 years, bared during the ceremony that they were forced to take up arms because of their circumstances in life, particularly the lack of opportunities.
"We were forced to fight the government because of our situation in life. But now, the government is showing sincerity in helping us, so we want to return and start over again," he said in the vernacular.
Abalos said the government, through programs such as the E-Clip, is aiming to address the roots of the country's problem on terrorism.
"We will make sure na uunlad ang agrikultura at turismo ng (that agriculture and tourism will progress in) Sulu. We will make sure that our children will live in a good, better and brighter future," he added.
The former rebels also received food packs from the Bangsamoro government's Ministry of Social Services and Development and cash assistance worth P222,000 from private stakeholders.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/08/01/news/regions/sulu-watch-on-despite-abu-losses/1852975
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.