A self-proclaimed former member of the rebel New People’s Army has surrendered to the 79th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army based in Tanjay City.
The rebel returnee was formally presented to Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo Sunday afternoon at the battalion headquarters in Tanjay, during the pinning of ranks ceremony and formal handover of newly procured rifles for the Army unit.
Philippine Army officials identified the surrenderee as alias Kent, Jai, Ryzo, and Jacent, 24 years old, and purportedly the vice team leader, Team 3 of the Armadong Yunit Propaganda, South Eastern Front-remnants of the Komiteng Rehiyun-Negros of the NPA.
Alias Kent claimed to have spent eight years in the rebel movement, and also turned over a calibre .45 pistol upon his surrender.
He is the fifth former rebel to have surrendered to authorities in Negros Oriental this year.
A few months back, Governor Degamo also welcomed four former NPA members who each received cash assistance of P65,000, representing P50,000 for livelihood and P15,000 immediate assistance from the government under the Comprehensive Local Integration Program.
The CLIP is a government initiative that offers former rebels the opportunity to return to their families, start fresh in mainstream society, and avail of a comprehensive package for livelihood and cash assistance.
Remuneration for surrendered firearms is also part of the CLIP for former rebels. (PNA)
