Over 38 rebels surrender in AgSur town
By Doreen Marielle N. Rosales
BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 26 -- Through
the joint efforts of the La Paz Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist
Armed Conflict (MTF-ELCAC) and the Community Support Program (CSP) of the
Philippine Army, the voluntary surrender of 38 rebels from different
left-leaning groups was induced on December 17 in La Paz, Agusan del Sur.
Among those who surrendered were
two regular members of the Guerilla Front 88 of the North Central Mindanao
Regional Committee (NCMRC), two on lay low members, eight active members of the
Militia ng Bayan (MB), eight former members currently in support, and 18 mass
supporters of the New People’s Army (NPA).
Upon surrender, firearms and
ammunition were also yielded from the rebels such as four cal. 45 pistols, one
KG-9 sub machine gun pistol, one ARMSCOR shotgun, two homemade rifles known as
“surit”, over 65 ammunitions, and five magazines.
The mayor of the said municipality
Michael D. Lim officiated the recitation of the Oath of Allegiance to the
Philippine Constitution and assured the surrenderees that they will be assisted
by the local government in establishing their new lives as law-abiding citizens
of the Philippine law.
“Through the mandate of the
Executive Order No. 70, we will implement all the necessary livelihood programs
in your community that will help you improve your economic status and relieve
you from poverty,” he said.
Lt. Col. Romeo C. Jimenea,
Commanding Officer of the 26th Infantry Battalion, also lauded the task force
for such an accomplishment, citing it as a marker of the effectiveness of the
executive order in combating insurgency.
“We have already made great
progress in our campaign against insurgency. With the cooperation of everyone
and other agencies, creating conflict-resilient communities will be more than
just a goal, it will indeed become a reality,” he added. (26IB/PIA-Caraga)
123 CNT members, supporters surrender to Army in SurSur
By Capt. Jonald Romorosa
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Dec
26 -- A total of 123 Communist NPA Terrorist (CNT) members and their supporters
voluntarily surrendered to the Community Support Program (CSP) teams of the
Army’s 36th Infantry (Valor) Battalion (36IB) from the third and fourth
quarters of the year 2019 in the province of Surigao del Sur.
Of the 123 surrenderees, 10 of
them are NPA regulars on lie-low status, 32 were Milisya ng Bayan, five Sanga
sa Partido sa Localidad (SPL) and 76 Underground Mass Organization (UGMO)
members.
Accordingly, they were from Sitio
Banahao of Barangay Maitom in Tandag City; Sitio Cadlum of Barangay Cabangahan
in Tago town; and Sitio Baroboan of Barangay Carromata, Sitio Kiskis of
Barangay Siagao, and Sitio Inadan of Barangay Magroyong, all in San Miguel
town.
The said locations were identified
as conflict-affected areas and geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas
where the communities are vulnerable to the recruitment of the CNTs through
their lies and deceit to join their futile cause.
CSP teams deployed in Sitio
Banahao, Barangay Maitom facilitated a total of 71 surrenderees; 11
surrenderees in Sitio Inadan, 24 in Sitio Kis-kis, eight in Sitio Cadlum, and
nine surrenderees in Sitio Baroboan.
One of the regular NPA members expressed
his resentment to the CNTs for the miserable life he suffered inside the
organization. He realized that the NPA is fighting a lost cause, while their
leaders are enjoying a better life through extortion and revolutionary taxes.
“Life there is so difficult, every
day we roam in the mountains looking and seeking for an answer on our cause. I
voluntarily surrendered because I was afraid that maybe one day my life will be
in danger and a possibility that someday I cannot see my family anymore,” he said.
In a statement, Lt. Col. Jezreel
Diagmel, 36IB Commanding Officer said, the mass surrender is the result of the
military’s relentless combat operations against the CNTs and the deployment CSP
teams in the identified conflict-affected areas with the help of the LGU and
other stakeholders within the 36IB area of operation.
“The CNTs are weakening and have
been losing mass base support which is their lifeblood in advancing their
objectives. The growing numbers of surrenders and shifting of support of the
masses to the government is a manifestation that they are already awakened on
the deception strategy and the futile arm struggle of the CNT’s,” the army
official added.
The 123 CNT members and supporters
who surrendered will undergo the process of validation for them to qualify and
avail for the enrollment of the Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration
Program (E-CLIP), a government intervention program intended for the formal
rebels. (36IB-CMO/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
Army initiates mass wedding for former rebels
By Cpt Edwin Leo
Francisco
BISLIG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Dec.
26 -- The 75th Infantry “Marauder” Battalion (75IB), Philippine Army initiated
a wedding ceremony to the former New Peoples Army (NPA) rebels, as one of the
highlights of the battalion's 29th founding anniversary held at the 75IB
headquarters on December 18, 2019.
The seven couples, composed of
three former NPA rebels and four former NPA rebels turned into soldiers, were
from the dismantled Guerilla Front 14, North Eastern Mindanao Regional
Committee (GF14, NEMRC).
The couple tied the knot in a
ceremony officiated by Major Dionesio Acaso, Division Chaplain, 4th Infantry
“Diamond” Division, Philippine Army with Bislig City Mayor Florencio
Garay and wife Second District Board Member Margarita Garay, who served as
principal sponsors of the newlywed couples.
Families, visitors, and friends
were invited to witness the holy matrimony of the couples. Other visitors were
Hinatuan Mayor Hon Shem Garay; representatives from the Presidential Management
Staff-Caraga, Philsaga Mining Corporation, API Group of Company, SSS Bislig
City, Rotary Club of Bislig, The Fraternal Order Club of Eagles, Filipinas Palm
Oil Plantation Inc (FPPI), Southern Technology Institute of the Philippines
(STIP), Conception Basic Builders Incorporated (CBBI), PCSO Bislig City and
Radyo Bandera.
Meanwhile, alias Vladimir got
teary-eyed during the entourage. He then expressed his gratitude to the 75IB and
other stakeholders who facilitated the activity.
"Nagpasalamat mig utro uban
akong asawa sa suporta na gihatag sa 75IB sa amo. Karon, bag-ong dalan na ang
among agion, ang dalan kung asa mi magtukod ug pamilya nga malipayon ug hapsay.
Salamat sa atong gobyerno ug sa 75IB sa ilang pinakamalipayong pinaskohan na
among nadawat karon. Salamat sa inyong suporta ug paghigugma (Again, we express
our thanks together with my wife for the support given to us by the 75IB. Now,
we have a new path, the way we build a happy and orderly family. Thank you to
our government and the 75IB for the happiest Christmas that we ever received.
Thank you for your support and love)," AKA Vladimir said in a local
dialect.
In his message, Mayor Florencio
Garay of Bislig City congratulated the 75IB for keeping its Area of
Responsibility(AOR) peaceful and likewise congratulated the newlyweds.
"I honor the 75IB in
upholding the traditions of love, inspiring unity and cooperation through this
Christmas season. May the celebration nurture solidarity, objectives, and goals
for the benefit of the Filipino people, particularly the people of Bislig. If
there's no peace, we will not achieve progress," Mayor Garay said.
Further, Lieutenant Col. Warren
Munda, Commanding Officer of 75IB, expressed his gratitude to the city government
of Bislig, stakeholders, and the Marauder troopers for the untiring
support displayed by everyone.
"We'll work together with
unity in promoting our vision and mission for peace and development. The 75IB
will always be proud to pursue the Philippine Army's vision towards
professionalism to serve better and people whom we are mandated to serve. Thus,
we always leave up to the Army Slogan of being at your service across the
land," added Lt. Col. Munda. (75IB CMO/PIA Surigao del Sur)
Caraga PADACs receive award for outstanding anti-illegal
drug drive
By Jason Ryan R.
Lam
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte,
Dec. 26 -- The provinces of Agusan del Sur and Dinagat Islands of Caraga region
were among the top 155 local government units (LGUs) that received an award in
the 2nd National Anti-Drug Abuse Council (ADAC) Performance Award held in
Manila on December 16, 2019.
The National ADAC Performance
Award was given to LGUs who achieved one hundred points or perfect score with
an adjectival rating of ideal (high functionality) based on the 2018 ADAC
Performance Audit.
The award recognizes the exemplary
efforts of the LGUs, through their respective ADACs, in complementing the
national government’s efforts in eradicating the country’s illegal drug problem
per Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Memorandum Circular
No. 2019-208 dated December 10, 2019.
On the other hand, the 2018 ADAC
Performance Audit contains the following major criteria: 1) Organized local
ADAC; 2) Conduct of quarterly meetings; 3) Allocation of funds for the
Implementation of anti-illegal drugs activities as indicated in the POPS Plan;
4) Implementation of ADAC plans and programs; 5) Support to ADACs in component
LGUs; and 6) Innovations (DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2019-117 dated July 24,
2019).
The awarding ceremony was attended
by DILG Secretary Eduardo M. AΓ±o as the guest of honor. In his message, he
encouraged all local leaders to think outside the box and act against illegal
drugs.
“One hundred fifty-five LGUs is
just a small portion compared to the thousands of LGUs nationwide but it is a
good start. The ADACs are one of the avenues for good governance in our
society,” he said.
The awarding activity was
successfully conducted with the participation and support of the local chief
executives and representatives of the LGU awardees, DILG Central Office key
officials, DILG regional/provincial/city directors, and ADAC regional focal
persons and Project Management Office. (LGOO V, DM, DILG-Caraga/PIA-Surigao del
Norte)
