DUMAGUETE CITY, June 22 (PNA) – The provincial government of Negros Oriental, represented by Gov. Roel Degamo, received at the Capitol on Monday four former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) after they voluntarily surrendered to the Philippine Army.
Col. Allan Martin, commander of the 302nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army based in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental, led other Army officials in escorting the former rebels to meet with Degamo.
The governor, who received them warmly, thanked them for showing their trust in the constitutional government by leaving the insurgency and returning to mainstream. He assured them of financial assistance in the near future, after they have undergone proper documentation and procedures to qualify them for CLIP of the Comprehensive Livelihood Integration Program.
CLIP is designed to allow its beneficiaries to be able to start a new life with the cash assistance given them by government.
Governor Degamo said the program shows that the quest for peace and winning the war against insurgency cannot be attained by taking up arms alone.
Lt. Col. Harold Anthony Pascua, commander of the 79th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army based in Siaton, Negros Oriental, said this is the first batch of former NPA members who have left the insurgency to avail of government services.
The former rebels, whose names and other vital information are withheld for security reasons, are from southern Negros Oriental. They will be under the custody of the 79th IB while the Department of Social Welfare provincial office will begin their documentation, said Col. Martin.
Martin described the latest surrenders as an indication that many members of the rebel movement are now getting tired of the hard life in the mountains.
Further, they have seen the positive outcome of the government’s program, specially the CLIP, as well as other undertakings to ensure that they can have a normal and decent life.
Col. Pascua, for his part, highlighted a few things that have contributed to the rising number of rebel returnees in the province.
These are the growing confidence of the people in state authorities and the local defense systems that show that law enforcers and other similarly oriented individuals are now capable and responsive of the needs of the communities on security and safety. (PNA)