23 NPA rebs yield in Benguet, Abra

CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet –   A total of 23 New People’s Army rebels recently surrendered in Abra even as two RRs yielded in Benguet.  
    In Benguet, after series of negotiations, Militia ng Bayan members “Noel”, 28, and “Joey,” 46, surrendered to the Regional Mobile Force Batallion 15 (RMFB15), Regional Intelligence Division and Benguet police here at regional police headquarters on June 15.
    A Camp Dangwa report said the MB surrenderees were members of KLG Montes under the New People’s Army’s Chadli Molintas Command of Ilocos-Cordillera.
    “Noel” turned over a Japanese Arisaka rifle with two bullets while “Joey” turned over a M1 carbine and two 7.8mm bullets including two cartridge 40mm high explosives.
    In Abra, “Ogie”, 56, farmer, an MB and reportedly member of the “special unit pangpolitika,” surrendered in Tui, Daguioman town after negotiations with police.
    The surrenderees are now under custody of police units while surrendered firearms and ammunition were turned over to police supply officer for safekeeping.

The regional police report said surrenderees will avail of benefits under the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) to aid them as they will live normal lives with their families.

The former rebels from the towns of Sallapadan, Dolores and Lagayan were provided with cash assistance under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) of government.

 Each of the FRs received P15,000 as immediate assistance.

However, the E-CLIP offered them also registration to government entities, PhilHealth enrolment, healing and reconciliation initiatives, safety and security guarantee, legal assistance, medical assistance, livelihood assistance and even a housing project.

“I believe that the increasing number of rebel returnees is a sign that our campaign against insurgency is working,” Abra Gov. Maria Jocelyn Bernos Bernos said as she recognized the collective efforts of those in government to achieve peace.\

 Danglas Mayor and League of Municipalities of the Philippines- Abra president Dr. Denise Florence B. Bragas committed support of  mayors in Abra in the fight against insurgency. 

 The E-CLIP awarding ceremony held at the Provincial Capitol Atrium was also attended by Dept. of the Interior and Local Government-Abra provincial director Millicent Cariño, Cordillera Police Regional Office Director Brig. Gen. Gen. Ronald Oliver Lee and Philippine Army’s 702nd Brigade Commander Krishnamurti Mortela.

Government officials cited efforts of the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communities Armed-Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) in the surrender of the rebels. – With Camp Dangwa and PIA reports