Camp Lukban, Catbalogan Samar – Two top ranking leaders were presented by Governor Conrado Nicart of Eastern Samar to Major General Mario F Chan, Commander of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division in Eastern Visayas just this morning at about 10:30 am. The surrenderees were also presented to the media during the short press conference held at the conference room of the Eastern Samar Provincial Capitol. Marvin, a native of McArthur, Eastern Samar and his wife Gelita, who is from Oras of the same province decided to abandon their armed struggle for the sake of their eight month old child. “Being in the revolutionary movement, life is a very difficult and the future of our family especially our child is uncertain, hence we decided to come out in order to once again live a normal life”, the couple said.
Their surrender was initiated by Governor Condrado Nicart of Eastern Samar in support to the government’s IPSP- Bayanihan. Also present during the press briefing were Colonel Virgilio M Espineli, Assistant Division Commander of 8ID, Colonel Romeo Labador, Commander, 801st Brigade, Lieutenant Colonel Hermilo Demafiles, CO, 14IB and PSupt Codilla, the Provincial Director of Eastern Samar, PNP.
The surrender of the two top NPA leaders in Eastern Samar is a big blow to the revolutionary movement. It has showed that even the top ranking leaders had realized the futility of their continued struggle. The current efforts of 8ID in the conduct of sustained combat operations in its entire area of responsibility have kept the communist terrorists on the run, thereby preventing them to launch major tactical offensives. With the full support of the PNP, the local leaders and other stakeholders, has also reduced the capability of the NPAs to recover their mass base support that would sustain their armed components.
Major General Chan expressed his deep appreciation and gratitude to the honorable governor in his efforts in working out for the return of the couple to the folds of the law. According to him, he is very much happy with the progress in the implementation of the current governments Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) “Bayanihan” where the local leaders showed their commitment and support for the efforts in winning the peace.
General Chan also reiterated his call for the NPA to abandon their armed struggle. “Peace could be attained if our brothers (NPAs) would just heed to our call of giving up their revolutionary struggle. There is no happiness and satisfaction derived from killing NPA rebels, only disperation. The real sense of fulfillment comes in embracing former rebels back to the folds of law and help him become productive citizens of the country”. He said.
The two former rebels are now in the custody of Governor Nicart who has pledged his full support to the rebel returnees by providing them financial and livelihood means as they start their new life as responsible citizens of the community. ###
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