A TOP military official has dared the starving New People's Army (NPA) rebels to surrender and avail themselves of the government's Enhanced Local Integration Program (E-Clip) and other social programs instead of harassing communities and grabbing their relief goods amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
Major General Jose Faustino Jr., Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) chief, made the challenge after a series of clashes that transpired while the troops were responding to reported extortion by NPA rebels.
The clashes happened Monday, April 13, in the village of Cuyago, Jabonga, Agusan del Norte; on April 11, Black Saturday, in Mahan-ub village, Baganga, Davao Oriental; and on April 7 in Tagdangwa Pantukan, Davao de Oro.
"Instead of harassing and grabbing the relief goods of the communities and adding to their misery, it is better for the NPA members to surrender and avail the government's Enhanced Local Integration Program and other social programs. We have a caring government that attends to the need of every citizen of this country in times of crisis," Faustino said.
Meanwhile, Faustino lauded the efforts of the different Eastmincom units in supporting the different local government units in their initiatives against Covid-19.
He also reminded them of their task in securing the communities from the terrorist acts of lawless armed groups.
"Let us continue to support the local government initiatives and programs to prevent the spread of the virus and mitigate its social and economic impact without compromising the security of our communities from possible terroristic acts," he said. (SunStar Zamboanga)