Paranas LGU awards P20 thousand to rebel returnees

By NINFA B. QUIRANTE
August 18, 2010

CATBALOGAN CITY  –  Paranas Local government unit through Mayor Felix Babalcon Jr, gave the two New People’s Army (NPA) surrenderees some P20,000 each as immediate financial assistance to the Anagasi Brothers (names withheld for security reasons).

The duo was presented to the media and the Liga ng Barangay in Paranas town during the Municipal Peace and order Council meeting held on Monday in Paranas town.

One of them narrated that he used to bring ammos during raids. He, however, denied having committed any violent act like killing government soldiers during an interview with the media after the meeting.

New battalion commander Lt Col William Peñafiel of the 34th Infantry Battalion said that the brothers sent feelers to some army officials that they would surrender just a few days after he was installed as BatCom.

The arms and ammos surrendered including the claymore bombs could have rendered a platoon of soldiers lifeless had the rebels used them.  On closer inspection, the gadgets hauled by the brothers included cell phones, handheld radios, M14, M16, carbines and some revolvers plus wires and other explosives.

There were also subversive documents and detailed listings of expenses in yellow pad.

Mayor Babalcon said that he was willing to give the brothers jobs after the army has done the processes to prepare the two as they will return to mainstream society. Lt Col Federico Tutaan, G7, also assured the brothers that they will receive some remuneration for the arms and ammos plus another cash assistance of P20,000 from the Social Integration Program (SIP) of the government.

When asked how much would the monetary equivalent be of the loads of weapons and ammo, Tutaan said the haul could easily fetch some P200 thousand.

Babalcon immediately requested the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to draft an appropriated ordinance to effect the P20,000 financial aid to the Anagasi brothers.  (PIA-Samar)