AUTHORITIES are claiming success in the demilitarization of the Rebolusyonaryong Partido Ng Manggagawa-Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade-Tabara Paduano Group (RPM-P/RPA-ABB-TPG).

The authorities referred to the simultaneous turnover of firearms held in five different collection sites all over the province on Sunday, September 8.

The venues were in Barangay Bagonbon, San Carlos City; Barangay Celestino Villacin, Cadiz City; Barangay Dos Hermanas, Talisay City; Barangay Tabigue, E.B. Magalona; and Barangay Talacdan, Cauayan.

A total of 207 long and short firearms, assorted explosives, and rounds of ammunitions were surrendered and turned over by the Kapatiran to the government.

The Regional Firearm, Explosives and Ammunition Disposal Committee headed by Police Colonel Remus Zacharias Canieso, deputy regional director for administration PRO-Western Visayas, led the one-day activity together with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, members of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process, Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office personnel led by Police Colonel Romeo A. Baleros, and the Kapatiran.

The program is a prelude to President Rodrigo Duterte's National Task Force-Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict, which aims to end the long years of insurgency problem in the country.

During the administration of former President Joseph Estrada in 2000, an agreement was signed with the RPMP-RPA-ABB and committed to fund the reintegration and development projects for the rebel organization.

The program includes livelihood projects, housing assistance, education and training, primary health care, agriculture and irrigation facilities, farm-to-market roads, and microfinance, among others.