CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — A total of 44 suspected members of the New People’s Army operating in Central Luzon, including a top-ranking leader in Tarlac, have returned back to the folds of the law with high hopes of benefitting from the government programs.
Each surrenderees received cash assistance and livelihood packages amounting to P50,000 from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and P15,000 from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for a total of P65,000.
“Some of the rebels received financial assistance and livelihood assistance which we will coordinate with the LGU where the surrenderee is situated, said Miss Beth Baybayan, head of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development (PSWD).
For Pampanga alone, at least 12 rebel returnees have been assured of their livelihood after they surrendered formally to the government.
Governor Dennis Pineda and mother Vice Governor Lilia led the distribution of cash assistance to Pampanga rebels.
Federico Laza, aka, Rico, commanding officer of a local underground movement in Tarlac, said he strongly believed the sincerity of the government reforms in the delivery of basic services under the present administration as compared to previous years.
“Ako…nakita ko ang malaking pagbabago. Equal opportunity sa paghahanap ng trabaho para sa mahihirap at epektibong pagpapatupad ng land reform program at pamamahagi ng lupa para sa mga magsasaka. Kaya walang dahilan para manatili sa kilusan at pakikibaka,” Laza said during interview on the side line of their formal surrender.
Police Brigadier General Rhodel Sermonia, director of the Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3), urged other NPA rebels, who are still in hiding upland of region 3, to lay down their arms and surrender for them to benefit with the government programs.
He said the CPP-NPA has embarked on white area operations from recruitment to legal fronts out to futher advance its cause including Kilusang Mayo Uno of the labor, Gabriela for women, League of Filipino Students (LFS) and non-government organizations. “This is part of the new strategies of the legal front.”
“This is part of the CPP-NPA white area operations through different legal fronts and organizations. Napakarami po nyan,” said Sermonia during simple rites held at the Pampanga Provincial Capitol Monday.
“These groups are not armed but their ultimate goal is to disrupt the government through the eyes of international communities,” he added.
The government especifically the PNP and the armed forces are ready for any disruption that might be carried out by the communist rebels.
“We are ready for them!”, said Sermonia.