Police Regional Office-5 (Bicol) headquarters in Legazpi City (PNA file photo)
LEGAZPI CITY – Three New People's Army (NPA) rebels operating in Sorsogon province have voluntarily surrendered to authorities on Monday, a Police Regional Office 5 (Bicol) official said.
In an interview, Lt. Col Malu Calubaquib, PRO5 spokesperson, said the relentless efforts of the Bicol police to persuade NPA members to return to the fold of the law paid off.
"In the municipality of Casiguran, the 42 years old logistic officer and the 61 years old member of Platoon 1, Larangan 1, Komite ng Probinsya 3 personally yielded to authorities. Both of them surrendered at the Sorsogon 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company. A 39-year-old member of L1, KP1 Sorsogon under Celso Minguez Command also quit the armed movement and surrendered at Sorsogon City Police Station," Calubaquib said.
She said the three manifested intention to renew allegiance and trust to the government and promised to obey the orders of authorities.
"After years of deception, these three finally found their way out of the left-leaning organization and free themselves from fraud, sabotage, and violence," she added.
Calubaquib added that the surrenderers will undergo a seminar as one of the requirements in the processing of their benefits under the E-CLIP or the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program accorded to all rebels who opt to return to the fold of the government and live with their families in peace.
"E-CLIP is an encouraging scheme that promotes reconciliation in a non-violent manner. It is a program of the government that aims to provide a complete package of assistance to former rebels," she said.
Brig. Gen. Westrimundo Obinque, PRO5 regional director, welcomed the surrenderers with arms wide open and gave them assurance that the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Bicol, in cooperation with other government agencies, shall converge in a whole-of-nation approach to provide them with opportunities for the attainment of inclusive and sustainable peace to end local communist armed conflict. (PNA)
