LtC Antonio Bulao, 89th IB commander presented the 87 former rebels (FRs), with their 17 firearms to the local officials, military and police in a ceremony held at Barangay Nacabuklad in San Fernando.
The surrenderers include 54 regular NPA members, 29 Militiang Bayan members, and four mass supporters from the NPA's Sub-Regional Committee 2 of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (SRC 2, NCMRC).
Each surrenderee received P10,000 as immediate cash assistance and individual identification cards.
Datu Jimboy Mandagit, alias Waway, a former high-ranking NPA member, in his testimony encouraged former comrades to surrender and take advantage of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) and the amnesty offered by the government.
"I extend my gratitude to the army for providing a wonderful opportunity for those of us who were victims of the false communist doctrine and became insurgents. Therefore, I urge the rest of our comrades to surrender because the government is always ready to help us," Mandagit said in vernacular.
Witnessing the activity were Bukidnon 2nd District Representative Jonathan Keith T. Flores, MGen. Allan D Hambala, 10th ID Commander and BGen Marion T Angcao, Commander of the 1003rd Infantry Brigade, Municipal Mayor Rogelio Yeke, and other local officials.
Hambala in his message assured the rebel returnees of support from the government to start their new lives.
Yeke, on the other hand, also promised to provide projects that would improve farm-to-market roads and the education of the families in remote villages.
Flores expresses gratitude and support for the FRs" surrender.
Major General Allan Hambala, 10th ID Commander
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