BY GERRY LEE GORIT
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The 14 members of the New People’s Army (NPA) who have surrendered to the Phil. National Police-10 (PNP-10) will avail of government services and benefits, authorities said.
According to PNP-10 regional director PBrig. Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr., the surrenderers belonged to the Northern Central Regional Committee operating in Eastern and Western Bukidnon particularly in the areas of Malaybalay City, Maramag, Quezon, and Valencia City. They are non-combatant and accordingly, most of them were recruited at such a young age.
They were identified in their alias: Marvin, Jessie, Reborn, Solong, Alysa, Dina, Gabriel, Chris, Nonon, Nanay, Dona, Dayang, Kulot, and Alysa.
Acorda has commended all agencies that are tasked to end insurgency and welcomed the surrenderees in the folds of law.
“They had finally come to realize that the right path to take is towards the folds of the government and the right way to live is to be with the community and to be united with their families,” Acorda said.
He said that PRO10 will continue and intensify its campaign against terrorism to end local insurgency.
“Police Regional Office 10 is in full support of our government’s peaceful and non-violent campaign. Kami rin po, we opt to choose a diplomatic way and peaceful approach in ending local armed conflict,” Acorda added.
PRO10 encourages the community to continuously support the government’s whole of nation approach to end local communist armed conflict and also encourages those rebels to shift their support to the government side.
Manuel Ordoña, Regional Director, NICA 10 said that this accomplishment was a result of collaborative efforts of all members of the clusters of the RTF-ELCAC.
Charmaine Suzette Leanore Tadlas, Capability Building Unit Head, DSWD 10 also said that these former rebels will also be provided with assistance such as: Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program (4Ps) wherein their children can benefit the health and education grants, Financial, Educational, and medical assistance, and livelihood program, and all available other government services.
