By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – The Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde) welcomed the nine former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) who chose to return to the folds of the law in Ayungon, Negros Oriental.
Lieutenant Colonel Van Donald Almonte, commander of the 94th Infantry Battalion (IB), presented the rebel returnees to Brigadier General Orlando Edralin, 303rd IBde commander, and Mr. Wendell John Vallejera, executive assistant of Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, at the 94th IB headquarters in Barangay Tambo last Friday.
This development came barely a week after a series of clashes with NPA rebels in the towns of Moises Padilla and Cauayan in Negros Occidental on May 20 and 21 that killed 10 rebels.
According to the 303rd IBde, the voluntary surrender of these rebels underscores the progress being made in the government’s efforts to achieve peace and stability in Negros island.
It serves as a strong message that there is a path to reconciliation and a brighter future for those who choose to abandon violence and extremism, the Army added.
In a statement, Brigadier General Orlando Edralin, 303rd IBde commander, said that through the concerted efforts of the people in Negros and the local government units (LGUs), they can observe that the end of communist terrorism is becoming inevitable, adding that “this development is a positive step towards quelling insurgency.”
Those who surrendered were former members of Central Negros 2 Komiteng Rehiyon – Negros Cebu Bohol Siquijor (CN2-KR NCBS), according to the Army.
Aside from involving the armed conflict, the Army said that the former NPA rebels allegedly served as informants, relaying information about the presence and movements of government forces in their respective barangays, and providing logistical support to the NPA.
They also turned an M4 rifle, three homemade shotguns, and one .38 caliber revolver, to the 94th IB.
They will receive remuneration through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), while the surrendered weapons will be properly disposed of, according to the Army.
