links: http://www.army.mil.ph/pr/2014/may/220514_2.html
Diamond Troopers Welcome 97 NPA Returnees
Panacan, Davao City
- The Army’s 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division formally welcomed the 97
NPA returnees in a ceremony dubbed as “Pagbabalik Loob III” at the
Provincial Capitol, Patin-ay, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur at around 9:00
a.m., May 21.
AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Emmanuel T.
Bautista was the Guest of Honor and Speaker accompanied by Eastern
Mindanao Command Commander Lt. Gen. Ricardo Rainier G. Cruz III and 4th
ID Chief Maj. Gen. Ricardo R. Visaya.
For the record, the 4ID’s Pagbabalik
Loob I, II and III helped 204 NPA with 201 assorted firearms return to
the folds of the law safely. A total of 4.2 million pesos was released
by the Eastern Mindanao Command taken from the AFP’s Guns for Peace
Program fund. NPA returnees are also entitled to receive another cash
and livelihood assistance from the OPAPP.
401st Infantry (Unity) Brigade Commander
Colonel Gregory M. Cayetano said “We are very much happy to welcome
these former rebels who have finally decided to return to the folds of
the law. We are very thankful to them that they gave up their arms and
start living a normal life back to their loved ones and families”.
Gen. Visaya said, “We are thankful that
these former rebels have left the mountains and returned to the folds of
the law. Let us put an end to poverty and stop the war. This is the
essence of “Bayanihan,” an advocacy of working hand-in-hand”.
Lt. Gen. Cruz commended the returnees
for immediately deciding to return to the folds of the law with
firearms. “You can now start a new life with your loved ones and be a
productive citizen in your respective communities. Your AFP here in
Eastern Mindanao is sincere in its mandate in protecting the people. The
CPP-NPA-NDF are now into extortion activities, arson, attack to
civilians and civilian properties. In other words, they are called as
bandits or anti-development group. As I said before, we are confident of
these snowballs of surrender in Eastern Mindanao area of
responsibility”.
Press Release by the 4ID, PA
PHILIPPINE ARMY
AFP Websites
PROTECTION AND PROMOTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
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