IMPASUGONG,
Bukidnon, May 24 (PIA)— Another three members of the New People's Army (NPA)
surrendered Monday to the Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry “Dependable” Battalion
(8thIB) at its headquarters here in Impasugong, Bukidnon.
Col.
Antonio I. Bautista Jr, 8thIB Commander, said the NPA rebels—all operating in
the province of Bukidnon—yielded in the morning of 22 May 2017 and laid down
their assorted firearms including rounds of ammunitions.
“The
Philippine Army’s peace-building works done on the ground through “Arm-to-Farm”
program is a ‘plus’ measure in opening up space for the NPAs to surrender and
appreciate the value of love for peace. Also, the NPAs are now growing tired of
hanging on to the empty promises of their leaders,” he said.
Former
rebels who surrendered few years ago also helped in facilitating the return of
their comrades back to the folds of law by telling them the gains and benefits
they are now enjoying after having availed of the government’s Comprehensive
Local Integration Program.
Bautista
emphasized that armed struggle will never be a solution to resolve issues nor
will it be a way to achieve just and long lasting peace.
“By
now, growing awareness spreads fast and NPA members now question the ideals of
the organization. I urged the NPAs to surrender and lay down their arms because
it is never too late to give peace a chance,” Bautista said. (Erwin P. Bugarin,
CMO, 8IB, 4ID, PA /RLRB PIA10-Bukidnon)
