PAGADIAN CITY – A 17-year old communist rebel wounded in a recent firefight with government soldiers has surrendered Friday to the army in the town of Bonifacio in Misamis Occidental province in southern Philippines, officials said.
Maj. Ronald Suscano, a spokesman for the 1st Infantry Division, said the rebel is currently being treated in hospital for a gunshot wound he sustained during a clash with troops August 11 in Tangub City.
“He personally disclosed that he sustained one gunshot wound in his left knee during the clash and was abandoned by his comrades while fleeing. He is still a minor, 17 years old, and presently recuperating at the hospital,” Suscano said.
Suscano, quoting Lt. Col. Ryan Severo, commander of the 10th Infantry Battalion, said the young New People’s Army rebel will receive P15,000 cash assistance and another P50,000 as livelihood aid from the government as part of the amnesty program launched by President Rodrigo Duterte in an effort to convince insurgents to abandon their armed struggle and return to the fold of law.
He said aside from the monetary assistance, the rebel could also avail psycho-social debriefing from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and livelihood skills training from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, including employment and capacity building from different government institutions and even security from the military and police as part of the amnesty program.
Just recently, 18 rebels also surrendered to the 10th Infantry Battalion in Oroquieta City. (Mindanao Examiner)
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