BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The 27 families temporarily displaced by the recent encounter between Army soldiers and New People’s Army rebels in Hacienda Raymunda, Brgy. Kapitan Ramon in Silay City, Negros Occidental, have returned to their homes after the area was declared cleared, Army spokesperson, 1Lt. Dansan Camua, said yesterday.
The affected families were also given packs of assorted goods, after a peace dialog and outreach activity was held by the Army that was joined by the Silay City government, 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company, and RYU Foundation Inc., assisted by the barangay officials of Kapitan Ramon, headed by Ronnie Aguirre, and the owner of the hacienda.
Camua said that the dialog aimed to increase the awareness of barangay residents on the modus operandi of the NPA rebels to agitate, organize, and mobilize potential recruits, and hear their concerns for appropriate action.
He added that the dialog was highlighted by the testimony of Ka Joross, a former rebel, who shared his experiences when he was still in the armed group, and how the government helped him after he surrendered.
Aguirre said they are thankful to the Philippine Army for stopping the extortion and ruthlessness of the local terrorist group in their community.
Lt. Col. J-jay Javines, 79IB commander, called on residents to be vigilant and report the presence of any armed group in their community.
2 REBELS YIELD GUNS
Meanwhile, two self-confessed squad leaders of the NPA abandoned the armed struggle and surrendered several high-powered firearms to the 94th Infantry Battalion in Ayungon, Negros Oriental, Monday.
Lt. Col. Angelo Guzman, 94IB commander, said yesterday that aliases Camel and Berber surrendered an M14 assault rifle, two 30 M1 garand caliber rifles, two 12 gauge shotguns, and a 38 caliber revolver.
Guzman said that Ka Camel served as squad leader of the Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda Platoon of the Central Negros Front 2, while alias Berber was a squad leader of the NPA Regional Strike Force.
He said the two decided to surrender after having engaged in six armed encounters with the 94IB soldiers in the hinterlands of Himamaylan, Kabankalan, and Binalbagan in Negros Occidental.
ASSISTANCE
The two surrenderers were presented by Guzman to Maj. Gen. Eric Vinoya, 3rd Infantry Division commander, during his farewell visit to the 94IB headquarters, where he personally gave financial assistance to them, in the presence of Brig. Gen. Leonardo Peña, 302nd IB commander.
Guzman said the two rebels will be enrolled in the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program to undergo a de-radicalization program and will avail of financial assistance, livelihood and other benefits from the government.*
