Ex-rebel turns self in to gov’t.

Friday, January 27, 2012

ANOTHER former member of the New People’s Army surrendered to the authorities.

In a ceremony yesterday, Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia handed over P30,000 check as seed capital to 22-year-old rebel returnee Dennis Basera, who was based in Mati City, Davao Oriental during his rebel years.

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Basera earlier yielded to Tuburan Mayor Democrito Diamante, who coordinated with the governor. Asked how he plans to “rejoin the mainstream,” Basera said, he will marry his girlfriend Leah, with Diamante as principal sponsor, and he would put up a small business with the seed capital from Garcia.

Winning back the rebels is part of Garcia’s administration campaign in the all-out war against communist insurgents.

In June 2006, Garcia issued Executive Order 10 that created the Provincial Taskforce on Anti-Insurgency.

In this campaign, Garcia initiated a holistic approach in addressing insurgency using a comprehensive strategy that includes addressing the economic needs of former rebels by providing them financial aid to start their new life.

Garcia said the program is part of Capitol’s “social integration program,” or allowing rebel returnees back to the community they wish to live.

Garcia said Cebu has always been cited for its accomplishment in the anti-insurgency campaign.

Garcia said she was told by military officials that rebels from areas in Negros, Leyte and surrounding provinces hinted that they would prefer to surrender here in Cebu.

Before his decision to surrender, Basera said he was advised by a relative in Mati to come to Cebu since they have relatives in Tuburan town.

Lt. Col. Nolasco Mempin, head of Central Command’s 78th Infantry Battalion, said that Basera was only 16 years old when he joined the rebel movement.

Initially, Basera was an active member of a legal and anti-government organization.

Soon, he acted as guide of armed rebels in Mati, since he knew the terrain, as well as the houses of their supporters.

Authorities later identified him as a rebel supporter, and this prompted him to go full time in the underground. As a full time armed member, he joined raids and attacks in military camps.

He was on the run for six years.