EIGHTEEN alleged long-time members of the New People’s Army (NPA) who went on lie-low status have voluntarily surrendered to authorities in Ormoc City.
Brigadier General Zosimo Oliveros, commander of the Philippine Army’s 802nd Infantry Brigade, lauded Ormoc Integrated Peace and Development Association (OIPDWA) in facilitating the surrender of the former rebels.
“The efforts of the OIPDWA have a great impact in preventing the communist terrorist group from reconnecting with their former comrades and reestablishing a foothold in the barangay,” Oliveros said in a statement.
OIPDWA, which was accredited by the Department of Labor and Employment and the local government unit as an organization of former rebels, asked the help of Quezon Jr. Barangay Captain Federico Manigao Jr., who in turn coordinated with the authorities, according to Oliveros.
The surrenderers are residents of Barangay Quezon Jr., Hugpa, San Antonio and Can-untog.
According to the Army, the former rebels decided to turn themselves in rather than be reconnected with the rebel group, which they already avoided.
It added that the movement “attempted to recruit them back.”
The former rebels will be assessed for livelihood training and other interventions so they can avail themselves of the national government’s reintegration program. (SunStar Philippines)