Latest: 7 in Mt Prov, 1 in Apayao: AFP: 205 NPA surrenderees in Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao, MP

By Imelda U. Sawi

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Some 205 members of the New People’s Army have surrendered in Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao and Mountain Province, Armed Forces opf the Philippines officials said here.

Latest were seven purported NPA members, five of them Militia ng Bayan, a guerilla and supporter who “surrendered” to authorities here and took their oath of allegiance to the government at the provincial police headquarters even as another surrendered in Apayao.

The oath was administered by Executive Assistant Winston V. Calde who represented Gov. Bonifacio C. Lacwasan, Jr. during the ceremony on Feb. 18.

The surrenderees later handed over six firearms to police and Army officers during the ceremony.

               The activity was witnessed by Philippine Army and of the Mountain Province Provincial Police Office officers.

Representatives from the Office of the Provincial Governor, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, Provincial Information Office, Philippine Information Agency and GMA News were also in attendance.

“I am so thankful to God that he never failed to show and take me to a more meaningful and peaceful existence. He gave me hope for a beautiful life I once thought I could have by joining the leftists. I then pray for His continuous guidance as I continue to tread on this renewed path and promise to do my part for the government and to show active support to all its programs as well. Life is too short. Let us not make it shorter,” one returnee said in his testimonial message during the activity.

Also in his message, he expressed hardship while inside the group where he once belonged.

                Aside from the province’s Rebel Returnee program, the provincial government is in full support to government programs related to ending local communist and armed conflicts in the country.

In his message conveyed by Calde, Lacwasan reiterated his appeal to those who have strayed from the mainstream of society to return and submit themselves into the government’s fold of the law.

“We welcome you. Let us live peacefully. If there is peace, there is progress. Peace and harmony is always better. You can be with your family, support your children through school, attend weddings and wakes of relatives among others. Let me call on our brothers and sisters who were led astray to join us in making Montanyosa into a more progressive place to live in,” he said.

Likewise, in his message relayed by Lt. Col Crisante Sadino, provincial police director Clarence C. Casilio expressed “appreciation for participation and cooperation of the misguided brothers who decided to lay down their arms and abandon their arm struggle. With their decision to return back to the fold of the law, he said they can enjoy life free from fear.

As implementors of the E-CLIP program, Lt. Col. Narciso Nabulneg Jr., 54IB Philippine Army commander presented anti-insurgency situation in Ifugao and  Vizcaya provinces.

He reported a total of 205 surrenderees and 28 firearms were surrendered from the provinces of Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao and Mountain Province the past two years.

In relation to this, six surrenderees from eastern Mountain Province, one from Paracelis and five from Natonin were awarded E-CLIP benefits by the Dept. of Interior and Local government.

All six surrenderees received immediate assistance of P15,000 each while one received an additional P80,000 for surrendering his rifle.

Another received an addition of P50,000 for his firearm and P50,000 livelihood assistance.

According to the DILG, the other five surrenderees are undergoing assessment and evaluation before receiving their respective livelihood assistance.

The turn-over of E-CLIP benefits was witnessed by some members of Provincial Peace and Order Council.

Meanwhile in Luna, Apayao, an NPA guerilla surrendered to government troops here recently.
Military officials led by 5th Infantry Division Commander Maj. Gen. Pablo Lorenzo, 503rd Infantry Brigade Commander Brig. Gen. Henry Doyaoen, 502nd Infantry Brigade Commander Brig. Gen. Laurence Mina with Apayao officials led by Gov. Eleanor Bulut-Begtang, Rep. Elias Bulut Jr. and Apayao Police Provincial Office director Col. Byron Tegui-in welcomed the surrenderee at the Apayao Eco-Tourism and Sports Complex in Payanan, San Gregorio here.  

The returnee, who was not named for his protection, also surrendered a M653 carbine riffle, two magazines for short firearms and a magazine for rifle, home-made bandolier and ammunition.

He was listed in the case operation plan (COPLAN) “Kasanib” under personal status report of the Philippine Army with a warrant of arrest.

He was reportedly recruited to join the NPA at the age of 10 and operated in Cagayan and Apayao areas. – With a PIA report