Mayor Agda appeals remaining NPA to give up
TACLOBAN CITY – Five former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) received cash assistance through the Local Social Integration Program (LSIP) from the Borongan city government on Friday (May 24) after surrendering along with some firearms.
The LSIP is one of the government’s programs aimed at sustaining peace and gaining the trust of the family members of active NPA members, encouraging them to return to the fold of the law.
Each of the former rebels received P50,000 from the city government, handed over by Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda, along with 802nd Brigade Commander B/Gen Noel Vestuir, and 78th Infantry Battalion Lt.Col Joseph Bugaoan.
The former rebels surrendered on April 29, 2024, following the launch of the Enhanced-Friends Rescued Engagement through their Families (E-FReE) program by the 802nd Infantry (Peerless) Brigade in the municipality of General MacArthur, Eastern Samar.
City Mayor Agda expressed his full support for the reintegration process of former rebels, regardless of their addresses.
“The city government of Borongan is willing to help active NPA members who want to embrace the government once again, regardless of whether they are from Borongan or not,” he said during the occasion.
“Sana diri na kamo makapaghunahuna hin pagbalik ngahaw kay waray sama hit yanhi nga wara ta kinababarak-an ngan pinangangaritan kaysa adto kita ha kagugub-an nga ma-exploit pa kita hin mga interes, iyu ligod nababayaan an iyo mga kalugaringon nga pangarap,” Mayor Agda added.
“Daku it am pasalamat ha atun Philippine Army diri ini nagigin posible nga mga programa hit gobyerno kun waray hira, kun hira in mga abusado,” he further said.
LtCol Bugaoan expressed gratitude to the city government of of Borongan for the swift processing of the financial assistance for the former rebels.
“The creation of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict under Executive Order No. 70 is very effective in defeating the local communist terrorist group and obtaining sustainable and inclusive peace throughout the country. The E-FReE family’s program has also shown success in accomplishing the 8ID mission, which is to totally defeat the Communist Terrorists Group within the Area of Operations,” he Bugaoan said.
B/Gen Vestuir emphasized the success of the E-FReE family’s program and the reunification of families because of it.
“I am also thankful to the LGU of Borongan for the assistance and to the former members of the NPA for deciding to surrender and be with the government once again,” BGen Vestuir said. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
