Guv urges support for rebel returnees

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY – Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson called on local government units to support former rebels who decided to rejoin mainstream society.

Lacson made this statement as he led the distribution of financial assistance totaling P228,000 to 17 peace and development community volunteers from various towns and cities in the province on Wednesday.

“It is the duty of all LGUs, the civilian government, to support all these former rebels and show them they made the right decision for peace and progress,” he told reporters after the activity.

Regarding peace and security in the province, Lacson said, “We cannot say that it is totally cleared of NPA rebels, but we can say it is peaceful and sustainable.”

He added, “It is not only the effort of the civilian government; we give big thanks to our men in uniform, the PNP and the AFP, because these are the people who defended us.”

Lacson noted that a significant number of former rebels have rejoined the government, adding, “In fact, most of the guerrilla fronts in Negros have been dismantled, but yes, they are still very much around trying to recover their areas of control.”

He pointed out, “This is why we have to show them that we in the civilian government are supporting these former members of the NPA who rejoined the government.”

The peace volunteers are former rebels who are now members of the Sentrong Alyansa ng Mamamayan Para sa Bayan (SAMBAYANAN), which advocates peace and development programs.

SAMBAYANAN is an organization composed of former members of the New People’s Army who abandoned their allegiance to the underground communist movement.

303rd Infantry Brigade Commander General Orlando Edralin, 79th IB Commander Lieutenant Colonel Arnel Calaoagan, and Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office Director Colonel Rainerio De Chavez joined the governor at the activity.

Lacson also thanked the peace volunteers for choosing peace and for supporting the peace initiatives of the provincial government in collaboration with the Philippine Army and the PNP.