Ex-rebels to enjoy better and freer life
DAVAO DEL NORTE "You'd now have no fear of going to malls; you're free to roam around," 10th Infantry Division commander, Major General Noel S. Clement told those who have sought peace with the government.
In addressing former rebel participants to the Peace Rally held in Tagum City recently, Clement enumerated some advantages and benefits for those who have decided to leave the underground movement of the New People's Army.
He reckoned the recent period as perfect timing to join and support the government citing President Rodrigo Duterte's intensive advocacy of bringing rebels back to mainstream society.
Clement cited some tangible benefits that the national government is offering to those would decide to turnover their arms and make peace with the government.
Through CLIP, the government extends P15,000 to those who seek government's peace and provides P50,000 cash livelihood assistance.
"The government is also giving you additional incentive if you surrender your arms," he said in Visayan dialect during the rally attended by more than 2,000 supporters of peace movement, government officials, government employees, youths, members of civic and nongovernment organizations, and churches.
Clement made former rebels aware that local governments are also extending them incentives on top of what the national government is giving them.
"Gawas pa na sa pabahay, panginabuhi,"he said referring to the commitment of President Duterte.
"Sino sa inyo dito ang nakapunta na ng Malakanyang?" he asked. President Duterte recently hosted a visit of returnees in Malacanang.
In the area of responsibility of the 10th Infantry Division, the Philippine Army had 33 encounters with the armed groups of NPA from January to March, Clement said.
The military troops recovered 56 firearms on the same period, neutralized 48 rebel camps and seized 63 improvised explosive device.
Clement revealed that 90 firearms were surrendered to the Army within the first three months of the year, and that military troops registered 10 NPA members who died in arms encounter while another 27 were apprehended including a barangay captain who was found hiding firearms of NPAs.
Meanwhile, Clement denied accusations that the military had forced former rebels to join the march rallies at various points in Eastern Mindanao particularly in the city of Mati, Davao Oriental, Davao City, Surallah of North Cotabato.
"Kamo na magsulti kung gipugos mo dinhi. (You can tell if you've been forced here)," he said.
He also asked them to think for the nth time before deciding to rejoin the rebel group and to save themselves from getting swayed to "false promises of a much better life".