Paranas holds MPOC, Two rebel returnees surrender high powered firearms

By EMY C. BONIFACIO, Samar News.com
August 22, 2010

CATBALOGAN CITY  –  The Local Government of the Municipality of Paranas convened in joint session the Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC) and the People's Day Forum last August 16 at its new constructed people's hall in the poblacion. The forty (40) Barangay Chairmen representing the forty four (44) Barangays comprising the municipality, together with the Heads of the different national and local agencies and POs were in attendance. The joint forum was chaired by the MPOC Presiding Officer, Mayor Felix Babalcon, this municipality.

Gracing the activity were representatives of the PNP, P/Inspector Lucino Quimado; Lt Col. William Penafiel, 34IB Battalion Commander; Col. Ramon Baldemor, Deputy Commander of the 801st Brigade; Lt. Col. Frederico Tutaan, G7 representing Maj. Gen. Arthur I. Tabaquero of the Philippine Army of the 8ID, Camp Lukban, Brgy. Maulong, Catbalogan Samar.

The issues which were primarily discussed pertained to the concerted efforts of the stakeholders in maintaining the peace and order situation of the community as well as the developmental programs which the local government is presently undertaking that are intended to uplift the lives of its constituents.

The PNP discussed briefly their continuing programs and accomplishments. PNP records also showed minor criminalities ranging from theft, estafa, illegal fishing and illegal possession of firearms which were immediately acted upon by the police by filing appropriate charges in court.

Likewise, programs coming from the Department of Agriculture, such as the availability of certified seeds and planting assistance to farmers were announced. It also disseminated an invitation from the Philippine Crop Insurance for farmers to apply for a Crop Insurance with a minimal fee of P300 per hectare. This ensures protection of farm crops/products from disasters and natural calamities.

In the same venue, the Municipal Health Officer shared a memorandum from the DOH on the alarming increase of dengue cases in Eastern Visayas which is recorded to be the highest with 4,766 cases and 63 deaths. DOH statistics revealed a 1.73% increase in last year's data. In this instance, the Barangay Chairmen were advised to mobilize Community Watch Search to monitor and destroy dengue mosquito breeding areas and report cases.

The presentation of two (2) rebel returnees by the AFP highlighted the activity. In a press conference, SN.com got in contact with brothers Cesar Gabac alias Orian/Uki and Juanito Gabac, who happen to be former members of the Regional Guerilla Unit who are operating in Central Samar. According to the reports, a civilian informant, alias Nito/Bambi tipped the willingness of the Gabac brothers to return to the folds of the law.

The negotiations with brothers Cesar and Juanito were made by the elements of the 34th Infantry Battalion based in San Jose de Buan. Its commanding Officer, Lt. Col. William Penafiel, directed his men to undertake the necessary identification of the subjects and the  conduct of security operations that led to the surrender of the two and the recovery of one (1) M16 rifle bearing SN 4904162, one (1) magazine filled with nineteen (1) live rounds of ammunition of M16, two (2) back pack filled with civilian clothes, two (2) poncho and 0ne (1) upper receiver group of M16 rifle and two (2) empty magazines of M14 rifle located outskirt of their farmhouse in Barangay Anagasi, Paranas, Samar last July 25, 2010.

It was learned that Cesar Gabac joined the NPA 1n 1986 after being lured by the promises and pro-people propaganda of the NPAs. He actively participated in the various activities of the organization until he became a team leader for a group of five. In 1987, he got disappointed over the group's inability to address his family needs that led to the death of his father. This instance made him realize the incapacity of the group to solve the bigger social issues that they promise to their members. He recalled having participated in the ambush of Gen. Cabides' team in San Jose de Buan last 2006.

The combined security operations of the HSVc Company and the Alpha Company of the 34th IB, led by 1LT Jewelry Servinas, and the humane treatment afforded by the military to the two rebel returnees during their custody, proved productive results. On July 27, 2010, Cesar Gabac was once again motivated to surrender a cache of firearms and other war materials hidden also at the outskirt of the same barangay. The recovered firearms and war paraphernalia were presented to the media and the crowd during the press conference.

Mayor Babalcon expressed his thanks to the military for the sincere efforts in minimizing/stopping insurgency, stressing its deterrent effects on development. He immediately ordered the appropriation of Php 20,000.00 cash incentive for the Gabac brothers.