Five rebels quit NPA amid COVID-19 crisis

Five rebels quit NPA amid COVID-19 crisis Regional News

BUTUAN CITY – Five active members of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) have left the armed struggle and turned themselves in to local police authorities.

The former rebels are a.k.a Dwin, 40 years old, financer and supporter of Militia ng Bayan (MB) Sandatahang Yunit Propaganda (SYP) Kingdom 4A North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC); a.k.a. Dodot, 38 years old, member of Sangay sa Partido Lokalidad, Guerilla Front (GF)4A; a.k.a. Loling, 40 years old, member of GF4A, were all residents of Nasipit town, Agusan del Norte; a.k.a Lucas, 48 years old, resident of Carmen, Agusan del Norte, member of Militia ng Bayan SYP Kingdom 4A, NCMRC; and a.k.a Jerry, 46 years old, resident of Buenavista, Agusan del Norte, political instructor of Militia ng Bayan, weakened GF20, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee operating in Surigao del Sur.

In a report submitted to the Police Regional Office (PRO) 13 headquarters, the five individuals surrendered to PLt.

Col. Dexter B. Ollaging, Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) 13 commander, at 11:45am in May 4, bringing along with them two rifle grenades and two calibers .38 revolvers.

The rebels cited the lack of food supply as the motivator for their surrender. This, in turn, compelled them to resort to extortion and even taking away relief goods from civilians to feed themselves.

PRO13 regional director PBGen. Joselito Esquivel, Jr. stated that both the police and military forces in the region are securing the delivery of relief goods to communities in order to prevent further incidents involving rebels harassing communities.

“In Caraga, the PNP and AFP have tightened security measures for safe and secured distribution of relief goods and the community helps us

65 CTG members surrender by providing reliable information,” the region’s top cop stated. He also ensured that as all possible assistance shall be given for them to avail the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP). Meanwhile, the rebel returnees are placed under the custody of RMFB13. (PRO13/DMR/PIACaraga)

Regional News

in Caraga

BUTUAN CITY – Police Brigadier General Joselito T. Esquivel, Jr., regional director of Philippine National Police (PNP) Caraga, reported that for the period January 1 until April 30 of this year, a total of 65 members of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) decided to abandon the armed struggle and returned to the fold of the law, seeking for a peaceful and meaningful life.

Of the total number of surrenderers, 26 have surrendered to the Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) 13 while 39 others surrendered to the different Provincial Police Offices in the region. The region’s top cop said that for the month of January 2020, a total of 16 former rebels surrendered, 22 in February, eight in March and another 19 in April. “The increasing number of CPP-NPA surrenderors is attributed to the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) of Duterte administration which provides firearm remuneration, immediate cash assistance, and livelihood assistance to all former rebels and Militia ng Bayan members,” the region’s top cop added.

PBGen. Esquivel welcomed the former rebels adding that they have made the right decision of taking the path towards real peace.

“Most of the surrenderers were on so much hunger and distress at the time of their surrender and claimed that they were enticed to join the armed struggle in exchange for helping their family, but realized that nothing they said was true,” said PBGen. Esquivel, Jr. | May 2-8, 2020 20

PBGen. Esquivel continues to urge all active members of the CTG to surrender to the government, join their family, and become a productive member of the society.

He added that a brighter future is ahead for all those who were once deceived by the extortionist and terrorist group but would decide to abandon the armed struggle. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)

PROVINCIAL NEWS

Agusan Norte youths unite vs COVID19 P ovincial News

By Nora C. Lanuza

BUTUAN CITY - With the aim to prevent the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) from spreading, youths of the province of Agusan del Norte have united their efforts to fight the said pandemic.

Keefe Blue R. Leonar, the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation President of the province of Agusan del Norte said during the Laging Handa Network Briefing hosted by Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar that they have supported the efforts of the provincial government not just in the fight against the virus but also in other activities that could make them responsible citizens in the future. Leonar said SK members and officials in the different municipalities have assisted the local government units in the distribution of relief packs to qualified families and households. According to Leonar, they have also distributed a total of 5,500 pieces of face masks to the 10 municipalities and in Cabadbaran City through the concerned local SK officials and members and helped in the distribution

He said that all the local government units in the Agusan del Norte have received 500 pieces of face masks intended for their frontlines, barangay health workers, barangay tanods and other individuals involved in the fight against the disease. They also distributed IEC materials to different areas, added Leonar.

He also acknowledged the efforts of the SK members and officials of the province, saying that in this time of crisis, they were cooperative and supportive in the initiatives of the federation. He was also thankful to the provincial and municipal officials led by Governor Dale B. Corvera for their guidance and assistance in performing their tasks.

“We cannot perform our duties and responsibilities as SK members

P ovincial News

without the guidance of our officials. We cannot be as responsible as we are now, without them,” Leonar said. He also called on his fellow youths to be a responsible and be productive even this time of crisis.

Also, in order to make the youth more productive during the quarantine period, Leonar said that the SK Federation of the province of Agusan del Norte in partnership with the Agusan Up Coordinating Center also helped in the distribution of seeds to the different the municipalities of the province. The municipal SK Federations have also established the “Gulayan ng Kabataan” in their respective areas.

On May 1, Governor Dale B. Corvera through Executive Order No. 23 now placed the province of Agusan del Norte under general community quarantine with no confirmed COVID-19 case. (NCLM/PIA Agusan del Norte)

P ovincial News AgSur media org extends assistance to local residents affected by COVID-19 By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY - Despite the suspension of operation of several media outfits due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), many of the media practitioners who are members of the Agusan del Sur Media Club are still on the field helping other people who are greatly affected by the pandemic.

According to Richard Grande, president of the Agusan del Sur Media Club, with the information they have been receiving from the residents that have not yet received the assistance from the local government unit, they immediately coordinated with its partner stakeholders, non-government organizations and private individuals in order to gather the needed resources and provide aid for the affected families. | May 2-8, 2020 24

The team has distributed packs of rice, relief goods, fish and vegetables to the residents of several barangays in the municipalities of San Francisco, Prosperidad, and Talacogon.

“We wanted to help other locals who really experience difficulty in coping with their daily needs by providing food for their families. In this way, we are able to communicate with them the government’s programs and

services that are available for them,” said Grande. As she was surprised to receive the relief assistance from the said media group, Linda Villahermosa, a senior citizen from Barangay Salvacion, Prosperidad, of said province has expressed her joy and thanked them for showing concern and doing humanitarian activities amid the COVID-19 crisis. “I’m glad you have reached our barangay and you gave us food to eat. This is really a big help for us, as our livelihood was also affected due to COVID-19,” bared Villahermosa. Hence, the Agusan del Sur Media Club would continue to conduct such activity to help more Agusanons particularly those in the remote barangays. Meanwhile, Grande further bared that they also provide the needs of the frontliners with the help of sponsors who regularly give their donations. He also called on the public to extend help and share their blessings by donating food and personal protective equipment for the frontliners in the different municipalities of Agusan del Sur.

Grande added that they were able to gather relevant issues and concerns from the local residents which they also refer to the LGU and other concerned agencies for appropriate actions. “Let’s all unite and help each other survive this pandemic. We accept donations intended for our constituents and frontliners,” said Grande. (JPG/PIAAgusan del Sur)

P ovincial News AgSur youths respond to crisis situation on COVID-19 By Jennifer P. Gaitano

AGUSAN DEL SUR - “The youths play a very important role especially in helping others in this crisis situation on the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). As we take care of ourselves, let’s not forget also taking care of others.”

This was the statement of Doreen Pamile Miro-Daigdigan, Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation President of Agusan del Sur, as she joined the Laging Handa Network Briefing hosted by Secretary Martin Andanar of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) on Thursday, May 7. donation drive through their Facebook account, wherein they encouraged people to donate goods and other items that would help locals from their daily needs.

“We solicit donations from the private sector and other individuals to provide medical and food supply for the people who are greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic,” she said.