More than 500 Reds surrender, avail of aid

MANILA, Philippines — More than 500 New People’s Army (NPA) rebels have surrendered this year, availing of the financial package offered by the government for them to return to the fold of law.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the rebel returnees had availed of the government’s Comprehensive Local Integral Program (CLIP), that also includes livelihood projects.

“NPA rebels who surrendered to the authorities have already reached to 531 since termination of the peace negotiation with the communist organization on Feb. 4,” said AFP Public Affairs Office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo.

Five of the NPA returnees came from the Ilocos Region while the rest came from Mindanao and the Visayas.

Lt. Col. Eugenio Julio Osias IV, commander of the Army’s 81st Infantry Battalion based in Ilocos Sur, said P444,000 in cash were handed out by the provincial government to the five NPA rebels surrenderees.

As to the NPA hardcore, sustained military campaign has resulted to the killing of 736 rebels from Feb. 4 to the present.

Of this number, 121 insurgents were killed by government troops during combat operations while 94 others were arrested.

Government forces also recovered 578 high powered-firearms from the slain and arrested rebels.

“It is apparent that hardships inside the NPA organization are now taking its toll on its members, leading them to cross the line to join mainstream society,” AFP chief Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero said.

Guerrero said the AFP welcomes the rebel surrenderees, adding that they will all receive financial assistance and livelihood projects through the government’s integration program.