A member of the communist New People’s Army surrendered to the military authorities of the Army’s 35th Infantry Battalion at Brgy Daan Campo, Magsaysay, Lanao del Norte on 21 October 2010.
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 suspect rebel returnee was recruited by Mercy Maghinay aka Genevieve Maghinay was the secretary of the movement operating at Brgy 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
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 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 year 2009 and middle of 2010, hundreds of communist rebel returnees have underwent skills development training and are successful in their endeavor. (4CRG/PIA9-BST)
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