ZAMBOANGA CITY - A member of the communist New People’s Army surrendered to the military authorities of the Army’s 35th Infantry Battalion at Barangay Daan Campo, Magsaysay, Lanao del Norte last October 21, the 4th Civil Relations Group of the AFP based in this city announced.
The press statement released to PIA said that 1Lt Aldwin G Cortez PA, Commanding officer of the Alpha Company, 35th IB identified the rebel as Elmer T Bucog aka Arnel, a member of an NPA medical team operating in the area.
Lt Cortez disclosed that the suspected rebel returnee was said to have been recruited by Mercy Maghinay aka Genevieve Maghinay who was the secretary of the movement operating at Barangay Durano, Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte and was captured by military operatives in 2006.
Prior to the surrender of Elmer, operatives of the 35th IB diligently pursued the negotiation through cell phone call and text messages. His parents also played important role in Elmer’s surrender who pleaded him to surrender to clear his name and eventually live normal life, Lt Cortez added.
Meanwhile, Lt colonel Gamal S Hayudini PAF, Group Commander of the 4th Civil Relations Group, Civil Relations Service, Armed Forces of the Philippines disclosed that the government’s program of reconciliation for rebel returnees continue.
A rebel returnee will benefit from this reconciliation program by receiving immediate assistance of P20, 000.00 and livelihood assistance of P50, 000.00.
If the rebel returnee surrenders with firearms, he will also get benefits from the Balik Baril Program.
Different agencies of the government like the DSWD, DOLE, and TESDA are also involved in the training of rebel returnees to develop their skills and make use of the livelihood assistance and become useful members of the society.
Lt Colonel Hayudini further said that in the year 2009 and in the middle of 2010, hundreds of communist rebel returnees have underwent skills development training and is successful in their endeavor. (PIA9-BST)
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