RETURN TO THE FOLD OF LAW. Lt. Col. Jose Mari Torrenueva II, commander of the Army's 91st Infantry Battalion, touches the forehead of the daughter of the former members of the New People's Army (NPA), during the baptismal ceremony at the Philippine Army’s 7th Infantry Division Headquarters, Fort Magsaysay, Palayan City, Nueva Ecija on Friday (December 20, 2019). Torrenueva is one of the godparents of the first child of the former rebels. (Photo by Jason de Asis)
FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija -- Shaira Mae B. Perez, daughter of former members of the New People’s Army (NPA), was baptized on Friday at the Philippine Army’s 7th Infantry Division Headquarters, in this sprawling camp with some military and police officials standing as godparents of the child.
The seven-month-old baby is the first child of Julius L. Perez and Nelva V. Badbaran, who voluntarily surrendered to the troops of 91st Infantry (Sinagtala) Battalion and 1st Provincial Mobile Force (PMF) Company, Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office in Barangay Villa Aurora, Maria Aurora in the province of Aurora last November 22.
The couple said they decided to return to the fold of the law for the welfare of their daughter, after being with the insurgent group for several years.
“We came to the point that as parents, we really need to make a decision that would define our lives and more importantly, that of our daughter, we do not want her to suffer the same burden of insecurities because of senseless communist ideology,” Perez said.
“We want peace since we already had a child. We want peace of mind, especially that Christmas is coming,” he added.
The couple thanked the military officials for treating them well and taking care of them.
Col. Andrew Costelo, commander of the 703rd Brigade of the Philippine Army and one of the godparents of the child, said that “since the family is the foundation of the Filipino society, we should always endeavor to enhance the Filipino family”.
“Sponsoring the baptism of the child of these former rebels is a privilege for us”, Costelo said.
He encouraged other NPA members to return to their families and loved ones especially this Yuletide season.
He also attributed this development to the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) coupled with the implementation of Executive Order (EO) 70 or the "whole-of-the-nation approach" against the local insurgency that activates the Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (TF-ELCAC).
After the baptism of the child, Lt. Gen. Ramiro Manuel Rey, commander of the Northern Luzon Command, presented the 12 NPA rebels who voluntarily surrendered to the authorities, including their firearms.
The surrendered firearms include 23 high-powered and three other firearms and several rounds of ammunition.
Major Gen. Lenard Agustin, commander of the 7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division, said the occasion is seen to cement the good relationship between former rebels and soldiers.
“This will also give opportunity for those still hiding and active in the combat operations against the government to finally lay down their arms for the attainment of peace in the whole nation,” Agustin said.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1089220
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