DILG hails the surrender of 11 communist rebels, calls on others to avail of ECLIP

Press Release
July 28, 2020

TACLOBAN CITY – Regional Director Karl Caesar R. Rimando of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on July 27, 2020 congratulated the Philippine National Police as well as partner organizations that helped 11 members of the communist terrorist group (CTG) to surface.

The former rebels composed of ten males and one female ranging in age from 26 to 60 years old, from Samar, Eastern Samar and Leyte provinces were presented in a press conference at the Police Regional Office 8 headquarters in Palo, Leyte.

The former rebels likewise turned over to authorities various high-powered firearms and ammunition, helping impair the ability of the outlawed group to initiate extortion, ambushes and other crimes. They are now in government custody and will be endorsed to receive assistance under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) to help in their return to mainstream society.

PRO-8 Regional Director Police Brigadier General Bernabe M. Balba said this was a defining moment as it occurs just days after the send-off ceremonies for the police and law enforcement teams under the Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) in three towns in Samar (Sta. Rita, Basey and Marabut).

Director Rimando believes that the heightened coordination between the police, armed forces, intelligence sector and the community is proof of the effectiveness of the whole of nation strategy under President Rodrigo Duterte’s Executive Order 70.

He sees that with the increasing ownership shouldered by local and national governments to identify and resolve festering issues, residents of remote barangays will no longer be easily swayed by the lies of communist insurgents.

He further requested the surfacers to encourage those still involved in the fading rebellion to approach LGUs or any law enforcement officer who will gladly welcome them and facilitate their return to a peaceful and productive life.