Rebel returnees get assistance from Capitol

CEBU, Philippines - The all-out-war that Cebu Province declared against insurgency has continued to produce good results as 35 more New People’s Army (NPA) rebels return to the folds of the law.

The 35 former NPA rebels, who surrendered before the military authorities, including a 65-year-old farmer, received cash assistance from the provincial government in a simple ceremony held at the Capitol Social Hall.

Majority of the rebel returnees were supporters, collectors and reserves, which operates mainly in the mountain barangays of the municipalities of Tuburan, Compostela, Asturias, Balamban and Danao City.

Carmen Camaongay, 65, of Danao City, revealed that there was a time that she was being used by a militant group to discredit the credibility of the government.

Further, Camaongay denied the accusations of the human rights group that she and the other who surrendered are not real NPAs.

Since March this year, close to 100 rebel returnees have already surrendered to the government.  

Camaongay, who used to be an organizer, collector and militia to the NPA movement based in Danao City, said that before, it was the NPA that conducted seminars and teach-ins to the farmers, women, youth in the barangay but it stopped when one of their political leaders was arrested.

The NPA returnees said they surrendered to the government because life was getting more difficult in the mountains.

Lt. Col. Raymundo Bañares, commanding officer of the 78th Infantry Battalion, said the government welcomes not only the active armed group of the NPA but also the supporters of the NPA movement.

Lt. Gen. Isagani Cachuela, commanding general of the Central Command, thanked Governor Gwendolyn Garcia for her effort and support in the fight against insurgency.

Cachuela said that “bihira lang po nang lider lalo na sa local government unit who are brave enough to face the threats of insurgents.”

Garcia and Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez Jr. quoted an anecdote of Napoleon Bonaparte’s once fierce hatred towards his enemies.

Garcia said “here in the province, we declared insurgency free. No more enemies, there are only Cebuanos.” — Garry B. Lao/WAB     (THE FREEMAN)