Communication staff
of NPA region 8 spokesperson surrenders to 34IB
By DPAO, 8ID PA
March 21, 2014
CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan
City, Samar – A member of the Communication staff of Santiago
Salas, Spokesperson of NPA Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee
surrendered to the 34th Infantry Battalion on March 19, 2014.
A certain aka “Marivic”, a
member of the communication staff of Salas surrendered to Lt Col
Rodrigo Ilustrisimo, Commanding officer of the 34th Infantry
Battalion.
Based on the account
narrated by aka “Marivic”, her reason for leaving the rebel movement
was due to hardship of living a life that is always on the run. In
addition, she said that she was not taken cared of by the rebel
organization when she suffered a serious illness. Further, adding to
her decision to join the mainstream of the society were the programs
of the government that benefit rebels like her who wish to surrender.
Former rebels are entitled
to avail of the AFP Guns for Peace Program, from the Office of the
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process’ Comprehensive Local
Integration Program or CLIP and the Local Social Integration Program
of Local Government Units. The benefits from these programs are enough
for a former rebel to start a new life.
Based on the record of this
headquarters, 24 NPA rebels already surrendered to 8ID from January
2014 to date. Six already received firearm’s remuneration under the AFP Guns for Peace Program, while the rest who have not yet received
their benefits under the government programs enumerated are still
processing their claims.
MGen. Jet B. Velarmino AFP,
the Commander of the 8th Infantry Division said: “For more than 44
years since the founding of New People’s Army on March 29, 1969, the
armed struggle the NPA waged has not solved any of our problems,
rather it caused more.”
“It is heartening that aka
‘Marivic’ acknowledged the futility of staying inside the rebel
movement and took advantage of the government's integration programs
for former rebels. Her decision provides her an opportunity to return
to her family and live a peaceful, normal and productive life,” he
added.