DAVAO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / May 23, 2013) – Two communist rebels have surrendered to the military in southern Philippines and both were provided livelihood aid by the government, officials said Thursday.
Officials said duo – Dante Miranda and Jessie Casium – were both members of the Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda, of the Guerilla Front 34 – Southern Mindanao Regional Command of the New People’s Army.
They were also presented to Davao del Norte Governor Rodulfo del Rosario at the Provincial Capitol in Tagum City. Del Rosario handed over P50,000 to each of the rebels to help them in their livelihood.
The 1003rd Infantry Brigade under the 10th Infantry Division said the two men would also receive livelihood assistance from government’s Comprehensive Local Integration Program or CLIP.
Col. Buenaventura Pascual, the brigade commander, urged other rebels to surrender peacefully and start a new life with their families. “I am very happy for this. Ito ay nagpapahiwatig ng malinaw na daan ng tagumpay sa pagkamit ng kapayapaan. Ito po ay nagpapalakas ng ating buong-pusong pag-aalay ng ating sarili upang tuparin ang tungkulin sa pag-akay sa ating mga kapatid na naligaw ng landas, na ngayo’y kasama na nating muli.”
“Kaya akoy nanawagan sa mga NPA na naghihirap pa sa pagtatago sa kabundukan na bumaba na at sama-sama tayong mamuhay tungo sa masaganang bukas nating lahat,” he said.
Lt. Col. Llewellyn Binasoy, battalion commander, said the CLIP is aimed in encouraging NPA rebels to return to the folds and live a peaceful and normal life with their families.
Del Rosario, for his part, praised the former rebels for listening to the call of the government for peace. “Mao kini ang inyong ‘seed money’ para sa pagsugod ninyo sa bag-ong pagpanginabuhi. Gamita ninyo sa matarong alang sa kaugma-on sa inyong pamilya,” he said.
20