2 NPA rebels surrender

CATARMAN, NORTHERN SAMAR, Philippines — Two more members of the New People's Army here laid down their arms on Wednesday and embraced the folds of law under the intensified Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) being implemented by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on peace Process (OPAPP).

The surrenderees were identified as Jayson Francisco Lucban, alias Bunso or Jay, and Rosemarie Moreno Cadajas, with aliases of LJ, Aira and Ai-ai, a squad leader and member of the NPA's regional strike force, respectively.

Captain Amado Gutierrez, spokesman of the 8th Infantry Division, told The Freeman that Lucban and Cadajas surrendered to 20th Infantry Battalion commander, Lt. Col. Rey Anthony Tumaliuan, at Brgy. Magsaysay in Lope De Vega town of this province.

At the initial interview done during their surrender, the two said they saw the opportunity of starting a new life under the various government programs being initiated in the province, which is a far cry from the kind of life they had in the mountains.

Under the CLIP, Lucban and Cadajas will each receive P50,000 in livelihood aid and P15,000 cash in immediate assistance on top of the monetary reward they will be receiving in exchange of the firearms they also surrendered.

Brigadier Gen. Jet Belarmino, 8th ID commander, for his part, welcomed the surrender of Lucban and Cadajas, and assured them that the Philippine Army will assist them in the processing of financial and livelihood packages that are due them as part of their reintegration to the society. (FREEMAN)