23 NPA rebels yield; to get cash assistance
The government will be giving out cash gifts to Panay-based members of the rebel group, New People’s Army who will be formally surrendering today before Malacañang’s peace adviser.
At the same time, the military called on the active NPA rebels to surrender and avail of the government’s financial and livelihood package.
The 23 rebel returnees will be receiving P20,000 in cash assistance from Avelino Razon of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process in today’s formal ceremonies at the Provincial Capitol, said Col. Gerardo Layug, commander of the Army’s 301st Brigade.
The cash assistance represents a portion of the assistance package extended to rebel returnees under the government’s Social Integration Program. The Department of Social Welfare and Development will evaluate them to determine what livelihood assistance the government will extend to the rebel returnees, Layug said. Under the livelihood assistance, the rebels will receive an additional P50,000, though in kind, as capital for their business.
Majority of the rebel returnees were with the NPA’s Central Front Committee, which operates mainly in the province of Capiz, he said. One of the returnees surrendered a Garand rifle, while the others turned over explosives and ammunition.
Layug said that the rebels surrendered to the government because life was getting more difficult in the mountains.
“They said they were really hard up in the mountain. They had no food and no resources; and they miss their families. They simply want to live normal lives,” he said.
Layug added that negotiations are underway for the surrender of additional rebels, who have sent feelers to the authorities.
Negotiations are underway for the surrender of not less than 10 rebels, who have expressed to the authorities their intention to surrender, he said.
In the meantime, the rebels are recruiting members to replace those who have surrendered. They may be able to recruit some new members, but they would not be as numerous as before, Layug said.
At present, the NPA has a force of about 120 fighters operating in Panay island.