One more rebel surrenders to AFP

A MEMBER of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) surrendered in Barangay Sta. Cruz, Placer town in Surigao del Norte on May 19, Saturday morning.

The surrenderer was identified as Jesson Platil Sumalinog, alias Bong and Hyson, 24, from Sitio Brazil, Barangay Mat-I in Surigao City. He brought along his AK47 rifle with three magazines loaded with 81 ammunition.

Army’s 30th Infantry Battalion commander Lt. Colonel Allen Raymund Tomas said that Sumalinog is a member of the Guerilla Front Committee (GFC) 16B, North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee, operating in the municipalities of San Francisco, Malimono, Mainit, and Surigao City.

Tomas said, according to Sumalinog, he had conversations with some of NPA members wounded in a gunbattle in Barangay Can-aga in Malimono town last May 5 and that they were entertaining the thought of surrendering because of the difficulties

they are experiencing.

Tomas urged the leadership of the GFC16B to give medical attention to their wounded comrades. He said wounded rebels have a right to be treated in a proper medical facility and that the NPA should not let their wounded comrades be treated by their self-trained medical persons.

Government’s Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) states that those rebels who returned to the folds of the law can avail P15,000 immediate cash assistance and P50,000 livelihood assistance.

In addition to that, former rebels who surrendered their firearms has equivalent amount of money depending on the serviceability and caliber of the firearm.

Tomas encouraged other NPA members to return to the folds of the law as rest assured that the government troops with the local government units will assist them in their application to the CLIP for them to start a good life with their respective families.