CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan City, Samar — Two more members of the New People’s Army (NPA) decided to give up their armed struggle and live normal lives as they surrendered to military authorities in Northern Samar in Oct 27.
Surrenderers Ruel C. Sirse, aka Bulay, and Melly C. Esponilla, aka Mica, approached troops of the 34th Infantry Battalion (34IB) who were in Brgy. Rizal of Gamay town conducting some peace and development activities, according to information from the 8th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office.
Sirse and Esponilla, squad member and medic of the NPA, respectively, brought with them one .45 Caliber pistol with three magazines and 20 live bullets.
Under the AFP Guns For Peace Program the duo will receive P25,000.00 in exchange for the firearm they surrendered.
Each is also entitled to receive P50,000 livelihood assistance and P15,000 immediate assistance from the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Peace Process (OPAPP) under its Comprehensive Local Social Integration Program (CLIP).
Further, they can avail themselves of the Local Social Integration Program (LSIP) offered by the local government unit of Northern Samar.
The two, who are live-in partners, said that they wanted to raise a family away from harm and violence.
Brigadier General Jet B. Velarmino, commander of the 8ID welcomed the surrenderees and wished them well.
“The 8ID fully supports and advocates the government’s Peace Program. Rest assured that your Army in Eastern Visayas is always ready and willing to assist NPA rebels who wish to return to the mainstream,” he said.