Governor says no more rebels in Cebu; Ex-NPA member surrenders his gun

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III yesterday reiterated that the province is already free from insurgency.

This was after Manuel Roble Valejo, 45, of Danao City handed over his KG9 pistol to Capitol Civil Security Unit head Bobby Legaspi Monday afternoon.

Valejo told the governor he was a former member of the New People’s Army and that the gun has killed people when he was still a rebel.

He said that after leaving the movement, he kept the unlicensed gun but never used it when he started doing decent jobs like working in a construction site and in a gasoline station.

Now, he works as a barangay tanod in one of Danao City’s barangays.

“Maayo na nga wala na tay pagalingi-on,” he said when asked why he turned over his gun.

He said he chose to surrender the gun at the Capitol because he has more ‘faith’ in the office. He said he received no threats to his life for leaving the NPA.

He said he bought the gun when he was still 15 years old. He joined the NPA when he was still 14 but was loaned a gun until he got his own firearm.

The gun was worth P45,000 in 1980s. Valejo said he turned a new leaf in the 1990s and left the group.

“Cebu is insurgency-free. There are no NPAs here. They are probably remnants of the Communist movement here who are now back to normal living,” Davide said of Valejo.

The governor said it was the first time during his term that a former NPA surrendered a firearm.

Back in 2007 and 2009, five rebels turned themselves. In response, the provincial government gave them cash assistance as they start a new life.

Davide said his office has yet to explore the possibility of providing assistance to Valejo, who did not ask anything from the provincial government when he gave up his gun.

The governor urged active and former rebels to turn over their unlicensed firearms to the government. He said they may approach the police stations or their respective local government units.

“If these ‘remnants’ still have firearms, it would be wise to surrender their firearms to the proper authorities,” he said. (FREEMAN)