SAGAY CITY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL-After months of Localized Peace Talks and negotiations, 25 armed NPAs operating in the tri-boundaries of Murcia, Don Salvador Benedicto and San Carlos all of Negros Occidental surrendered with their firearms to the Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion; 6th Special Action Battalion – Special Action Force and 1st Negros Occidental Provincial Mobile Force Company of the Philippine National Police in 79th IB Headquarters, Brgy Bato, Sagay City, Negros Occidental at about 10:30 AM, March 2, 2019 (Saturday).
The said surrender was highlighted in a ceremony, with the handover of the following high powered firearms and other war materials; 3 US M16 rifles; 4 US Garand rifles; 1 US M14 rifle; 4 Shot Guns; 1 Magnum 22 rifle with scope ; 12 cal .45 pistols; 2 9mm Sub-machine guns; 1 .38 Cal Revolver; 14 assorted rifle and pistol magazines loaded with ammunition; and 2 shotgun bandoleers with ammunition to Colonel Benedict Arevalo, 303rd Infantry Brigade Commander; Police Colonel Romeo Baleros, Negros Occidental Police Provincial Director; and Ms. Ma. Fatima Daiz, Provincial DILG North Cluster Leader.
The former rebels also took their oath of allegiance during the ceremony, expressing their peaceful return to mainstream society.
Lieutenant Colonel Emelito Thaddeus Logan, 79th IB Commanding Officer said, “The barangay officials played an important role in urging the NPAs to give up violence. The Army also recognizes the efforts of said officials especially their support to Localized Peace Talks initiated by the 303rd Brigade since November 2018.”
Meanwhile, Police Lieutenant Colonel Baquiran, 1st PMFC Commander stated that, “It is high time the rebels learn that they are just being used and fooled by communist organizers and recruiters who agitate them on various issues not meant to be resolved.”
The 79th IB together with the Provincial DILG and other local government agencies will process the entitlement of said former rebels of the following benefits of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP);
- a) Immediate assistance (P15,000.00)
b) Livelihood assistance (P50,000.00)
c) Firearms remuneration (P12,000.00 to P500,000.00)
d) Half-way house assistance
e) Philhealth enrolment and medical assistance
f) Education assistance
g) Housing assistance
h) Legal assistance; and
i) Healing and reconciliation initiatives
Colonel Benedict Arevalo, in his message encouraged other NPA members to follow their comrades who have already returned to the folds of law.
“It is not too late for them to surrender because the government knows that they are only victims of the CPP-NPA-NDF deception. The NPAs deserve another chance to live normal lives”, he added.(via NDB)