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By JONG D. CADION
PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur
(Sept 27, 2018) –
Sixteen members of New People's Army (NPA), four of whom are females (locally
called Amazona) and two are child warriors, surrendered to the 53rd Infantry
Battalion (53IB), Philippine Army, in Camp Major David Sabido, Poblacion,
Zamboanga del Sur (ZDS) Wednesday (September 26).
“Most of
these surrenderees said they can no longer withstand the hardship they suffer
on a daily basis while on continued stay in the jungles, got tired of their
useless cause and they now want to live in peace and live normal lives with
their families," Lieutenant Colonel Marlowe E. Patria, Commanding Officer
of 53IB said.
"AKA
Cel, one of the female surrenderees, was a first year college student taking up
Education but had long stopped going to school when recruited last year.
"I
regretted much that I became a member of the NPAs and became part of the
group’s revolutionary undertaking. To be honest, I found no sense staying with
the group in the jungles for a cause. I saw no meaning, no direction and no
hope. I should have pursued my studies in college," she said.
Lt. Col.
Patria also added that they can still see elements of “force and intimidation”
as the usual ploy used by the NPAs in recruiting their members. This is the
reason why members only last in the jungles for few months or almost a year, at
most. Only very few hardcore members are considered as “main-stays” but they
are the ones who are receiving biggest chunks from their extortion collection.
Capt. Clint
Antipala, Tabak Division Public Affairs Office acting Chief disclosed that Majority of these surrenderees belong to the Communist/NPA/Terrorist
(CNT) group Secom Kara of the Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee of the
CPP/NPA/NDF, including those thirteen who also surrendered to the authorities
last July and are now undergoing different procedures for the E-CLIP. These Former
Rebels (FRs) are the ones who used to operate and wreak havoc in the municipalities
of Midsalip, Tigbao, Lakewood, Lapuyan, San Miguel and Pagadian City.
Capt.
Antipala said that these surrendered rebels will be thoroughly processed which
include making them undergo series of re-orientation seminars, psycho-social
debriefing sessions, and livelihood trainings by the different partner
government agencies such as Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG),
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and Technical Education
and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
Antipala
added that the two who were minor-aged when recruited will be especially
handled by the DSWD. Most of them can also be enrolled with the Enhanced –
Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) to receive livelihood
assistance in preparation for their return to the mainstream society.
Col. Bagnus
Gaerlan, Commanding Officer of the 102nd Infantry Brigade based in
Ipil, ZDS said, “more surrenderees are coming in droves after feeling the
pressure of our relentless and focused military operations in the entire
Zamboanga Peninsula. Also, the convergence of our efforts with other government
agencies, including the media in bringing our government’s re-integration
program to the ranks of NPAs is continuously enticing more of their members to
yield and eventually tread back to the mainstream society.”
Maj. Gen.Roseller
G. Murillo, Army’s Premier Division Chief and the Commander of the JTF ZAMPELAN
also said, “We are also postured in pursuing the localized negotiation with the
Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs), as what the AFP (Armed Forces of the
Philippines) leadership has mandated us to do. But this is only good for those
who will choose to engage us through peaceful means. Our troops are ever ready
to engage them and neutralize them when needed."
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