The meeting,
facilitated only last Saturday, was a manifestation of Gov. Nicart’s
trust and confidence in the AFP leadership.
In the said occasion,
Nicart presented to the group two ranking officials who have worked
with the underground movement of the New People’s Army since 2002.
The surrenderees were
identified as Marvin Deo Capones alias Saga/Red, Vice Commander,
Provincial Operational Command, Eastern Samar Provincial Party
Committee (ESPPC) of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC)
and his wife, Jelita Capones alias Daisy/Onan, Medical Officer of the
ESPPC, EVRPC.
Jelita took charge of
the health needs of their members and the mass base in the area. On
the other hand, Marvin was a political instructor/organizer deployed
at the Northeastern portion of Samar particularly in Taft, Can-avid,
Dolores, Oras, Jipapad, Arteche and Maslog. Both of them joined the
group when they were yet students.
The governor was said
to be aware of his niece’s involvement in the NPA when he was yet a
mayor at San Policarpo. According to him, surrender feelers were made
through his relatives. Immediately, Nicart took time to locate the
whereabouts of the couple and coordinated with the military for
security concerns.
The couple appealed
that their presence should not be required by the military in their
massive information dissemination campaigns and as guide in military
operations. In response, the commanding General encouraged the couples
to share their experiences and assessments in the underground movement
by giving feedbacks as to the real needs of the communities where they
worked with so that the LGU can also respond to them.
“To live a normal life
without any fear for our lives especially that we already have an
eight-month old child whose future we cannot be assured if we continue
serving the movement” was the primary reason of the Capones’ couple
for the peaceful surrender. It was learned that they have stopped in
actively participating in the NPA activities for almost a year now but
they’re still worried regarding their security since their names are
not yet cleared in the military’s intelligence reports.
Marvin Capones said
that their presence in the said meeting is a clear manifestation that
they have already given up the ideologies that they have fought for in
the past. He is convinced that if he continues serving the underground
movement, he cannot give a brighter future for his family.
“Sobra ka idealistic
an akon panhuna-huna ngan deri ko gin eexpect nga makuri an pagpamilya
ha sakob para han kabubuwason. Bisan ano an amon yaknon yana, it amon
aksiyon mas dako kontra hiton amon pulong yana pa la. Kun mapukaw na
hira, magdecide hira, huna hunaon nira an future han ira pamilya” (I
was so idealistic at that time and I didn’t expect that it won’t be
easy to raise a family and plan a better future for them when you’re
with the movement. Whatever I say now, it’s still our act of
surrendering that has more weight than the things that I will be
saying. If ever, you should first consider your family’s future before
deciding to join the group), were the exact words of Marvin when asked
about the lessons that he has learned from the experience.
Gen. Chan welcomed
this development as a new aspect of solving insurgency not through a
combat score but more on a peaceful process by encouraging people who
are in the armed struggle to peacefully surrender to the folds of the
law. Chan informed that all local government units in the province
have already incorporated in their programs the giving of livelihood
packages to rebels who intend to go back to the mainstream.
He particularly
stressed on the role of the Municipal Peace and Order Councils that
provide livelihood assistance programs to rebel returnees.
Chan is also hopeful
that a radial road that would interconnect the boundaries of the three
provinces amounting to 4.2 Billion pesos will be prioritized.
Likewise, the need for airports and seaports are essentials to
economic development and growth. These are expected to provide jobs
and livelihood opportunities to the constituents.
In accordance with the
IPSP Bayanihan program of the AFP, a consultative process in pursuing
peace efforts is currently being undertaken by the AFP. An assurance
for a full support in the pursuit of local peace efforts is likewise
extended to the LGUs. Accordingly, no combat efforts will be made
without the approval of the chief executives.
“May this be the start
of the continued inflow of those in the hills for a more productive
Eastern Samar and with a concerted effort in improving the quality of
life of our people, maybe we can put in a dream that someday in the
future we will have busy streets, with airports busier than Cebu City
and a seaport. Hopefully, not a single one in your place will be
“tambay” (idle) in the street where we are not thinking of fighting
each other but helping each other to generate more income for everyone
for a convenient and comfortable life, but a way into going a global
competitiveness in the many aspects of our lives and sana marating
natin yun” was the inspiring final message of Gen Chan.
Meanwhile, Gov. Nicart
thanked everyone for their presence and call on each and every public
servant and government official to accord every Estehanon the respect.
Their concerns should be attended promptly without partiality, he
added. They should be given the due protection of the law and should
be treated fairly and equally so we can encourage more of these people
to go back to the folds of the law and have a peaceful community.
