PNP-3 chief Brig. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia (with microphone) presents 70 new rebel returnees in Central Luzon. Photo courtesy of PNP-RPIO
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO— Rebel returnees numbering 70 were presented by the Philippine National Police (PNP) as it kicked-off the new year on Monday.
Police regional director Brig. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia, in a press briefing here, also commended the efforts of the members of the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict for the accomplishment.
It was learned that 33 surrendered last December 2019, one was a full-fledged member of the New People’s Army (NPA), one a member of Anakbayan who was supposed to officially become a member of the NPA, one a member of Marxist Leninist Party of Philippines-Rebolusyonaryong Hukbong Bayan, 20 were regular members of the NPA, and 14 were part of the White Area Committee.
Sermonia said some of the rebel returnees voluntarily surrendered five M-16 rifles.
The police also presented 250 former members of Kadamay Group who, Sermonia said, will be availing of the livelihood assistance under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.
“I thank you for surrendering. We can now be assured of not meeting you in an encounter that may result to deaths on either side. With your presence here, we can be assured that there will be little possibility of another grieving child because his mother or father or both were killed,” Sermonia told the rebel returnees.
He also said the approach of the government in addressing the insurgency problem is no longer limited to bullets and guns. It is now working to providing solutions to issues being exploited by the rebels.
He said government agencies, local government units and civil society partners are now together in providing jobs, livelihood, healthcare and scholarship among others.
