AT LEAST four suspected communist insurgents have returned to the folds of the law as they turned themselves in to the authorities in Bukidnon, the military said.
The former rebels surrender to the troops of the 8th Infantry Battalion in Sitio Mahagwa, Hagpa, Impasug-ong town last Tuesday, August 7.
Authorities identified the surrenderees as Alias Dalasigon, 43; an alleged regular member of the New People’s Army (NPA) while the three others were supposed members of the Milisyang Bayan (MB) identified as Alias Lawin, 41; Alias Bag-as, 27; and Alias Jampee, 27; all residents of Hagpa village.
Dalasigon brought along with him and yield his carbine rifle while the three MB members yield their homemade shotguns.
"Our surrenderees from the start of our campaign were results of our community support program team deployments. People in our priority areas are now aware of the CPP-NPA's true intentions and that they do not want to take part of their failed armed struggle anymore," 8IB commander Lieutenant Colonel Ronald Illana said.
Brigadier General Eric Vinoya, 403rd Infantry Brigade commander, has assured that former rebels will avail the government's Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) for their reintegration to the community.
"Once again, we appreciate the decision of our brothers to go down and embrace peace. Together with other members of the ECLIP committee of Bukidnon, we will ensure your security and that all the assistance from the program will be given to you," Vinoya said.
The military also said that the surrenderees revealed that the NPA failed to fulfill their promised monthly financial support of P5,000 and a sack of rice.
They reported that the Maoist guerrillas were also extorting P10.00 per person every month and harvested crops, leaving people in the community with almost nothing.
"From January up to date, the 4th Infantry Division has been very serious in our campaign of putting to end the terrorism brought by the CPP-NPA. We have information that many of the NPA terrorists are waiting for the right time to surrender because of hardship,"4ID commander Major General Ronald Villanueva said.