1 month ago
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SAN FERNANDO, Bukidnon — A total of 87 members of the communist New People's Army (NPA) surrendered to the Philippine Army's 89th Infantry Battalion (89IB) based in Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte on Friday here.
Lt. Col. Antonio Bulao, commander of the 89IB, presented the 87 former rebels, along with 17 firearms they turned over, to the local officials, military and police in a ceremony held at Barangay Nacabuklad in San Fernando.
The surrenderers include 54 regular NPA members, 29 Militiang Bayan members, and four mass supporters from the NPA's Sub-Regional Committee 2 of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (SRC 2, NCMRC).
Each of the 87 received P10,000 as immediate cash assistance and individual identification cards.
Datu Jimboy Mandagit, alias Waway, a former high-ranking NPA member, in his testimony, encouraged former comrades to surrender and take advantage of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-Clip) and the amnesty offered by the government.
"I extend my gratitude to the army for providing a wonderful opportunity for those of us who were victims of the false communist doctrine and became insurgents," said Mandagit in vernacular.
"Therefore, I urge the rest of our comrades to surrender because the government is always ready to help us," added Mandagit.
Bukidnon 2nd District Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores; MGen. Allan Hambala, 10th Infantry Division commander; BGen. Marion Angcao, commander of the 1003rd Infantry Brigade; Municipal Mayor Rogelio Yeke, and other local officials, witnessed the ceremony.
Hambala, in his message, assured the rebel returnees of support from the government for them to start their new lives.
Yeke, on the other hand, also promised to provide projects that would improve farm-to-market roads and the education of the families in remote villages.
Flores expressed gratitude and support for the return of the former rebels to the folds of the law.
