MISAMIS Oriental Governor Yevgeny "Bambi" Emano has agreed with the government security forces in urging the members of the New People’s Army (NPA) to lay down their arms and return to the folds of the law.
Emano said lasting peace in Mindanao will never be attained through armed struggle.
The governor made the statement after the members of the army's 58th Infantry Battalion called on the Maoist guerrillas to give up the armed struggle which hinders development and progress in community and cooperate with the government instead.
"Kini nga panawagan maoy resulta sa gipahigayong (This call is the result of) Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) meeting last week," the capitol's daily press briefer said.
The military said NPA combatants who decided to turn themselves in will avail the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-Clip) of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
The program was established to help the former rebels get back on their feet again by giving them financial, medical, housing, and livelihood assistance.
"Kini ang usa ka maayo nga programa nga angay ngadto sa mga kaigsoonan tang rebelde tungod kay gawas nga magmalinawon ang ilang pangkinabuhi , mas mahimong malambuon pa ang kahimtang sa ilang tagsa-tagsa ka pamilya (This is a good program for our rebel brothers because it will not just give them peace, it will also make their lives better)," Emano said.