The Army’s 3rd Infantry Division reported yesterday that 44 New People’s Army rebels in Negros and Panay island have laid down their arms and are now on their way back to mainstream society after choosing to live a life in peace.

Of the 44 NPA members who surrendered since January, 21 are in Negros Occidental, 14 in Negros Oriental and nine in Panay island, military records show.

The numbers do not include NPA members who have been monitored to have left the rebel movement, Maj. Enrico Gil Ileto, 3ID spokesman, said.

The provincial government of Negros Occidental has already released P638,000 financial and livelihood assistance to 67 former rebels, including those who surrendered last year, to the different infantry units of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. said.

Maj. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr., 3ID commander, said the continued influx of NPA surrenders can be attributed to social pressure generated by the growing number of civil society groups, the clergy and local officials who are persistent in calling for peace coupled by sustained combat operations by security forces.

Mabanta also commended military commanders in Negros and Panay for the zero human rights violation, despite massive combat operations in these areas, adding that discipline, being a soldier, is paramount for everyone.

“This only shows how your Army today internalizes its moral obligation of protecting the civilians through the conduct of focused combat operations targeting only the armed NPA rebels who refused to lay down their arms,” Mabanta said.

He said the Army can always do more as the 3ID leadership revisited its plans and methods so soldiers can perform to the best of their abilities.*GPB

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