ABOUT 25 members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Negros Occidental returned to the folds of the law in Sagay City on Saturday, March 2.
Lieutenant Colonel Emelito Thaddeus Logan, 79th IB commanding officer, said in a statement, that after months of localized peace talks and negotiations, 25 armed NPAs operating in the tri-boundaries of Murcia, Don Salvador Benedicto and San Carlos surrendered with their firearms to the Army's 79th Infantry Battalion; 6th Special Action Battalion - Special Action Force and 1st Negros Occidental Provincial Mobile Force Company of the Philippine National Police in 79th IB Headquarters, Barangay Bato, Sagay City.
They turned over high powered firearms and other war materials such as 3 US M16 rifles; 4 US Garand rifles; 1 US M14 rifle; 4 Shot Guns; 1 Magnum 22 rifle with scope; 12 cal .45 pistols; 2 9mm Sub-machine guns; 1 .38 Cal Revolver; 14 assorted rifle and pistol magazines loaded with ammunition; and 2 shotgun bandoleers with ammunition to Colonel Benedict Arevalo, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander; Police Colonel Romeo Baleros, Negros Occidental Police Provincial director; and Ma. Fatima Daiz, Provincial Department of the Interior and Local Government North Cluster leader.
The former rebels also took their oath of allegiance during the ceremony, expressing their peaceful return to mainstream society.
Logan said the barangay officials played an important role in urging the NPAs to give up violence.
“The army also recognizes the efforts of the barangay officials especially their support to localized peace talks initiated by the 303rd Brigade since November 2018,” he said.
He added it is high time the rebels learn that they are just being used and fooled by communist organizers and recruiters who agitate them on various issues not meant to be resolved.
Logan noted the 79th IB together with the Provincial DILG and other local government agencies will process the entitlement of said former rebels of the following benefits of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program such as P15,000 immediate assistance; P50,000 livelihood aid; P12,000 to P500,000 firearms remuneration; also assistance in the following: PhilHealth enrollment and medical; half-way house; education; housing; legal; and healing and reconciliation initiatives.
For his part, Arevalo also encouraged other NPA members to follow their comrades who have already returned to the folds of law.
“It is not too late for them to surrender because the government knows that they are only victims of the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA-National Democratic Front deception. The NPAs deserve another chance to live normal lives,” he said.