NPA rebel surrenders with high-powered firearm
A Militia ng Bayan member, bringing along his M16 rifle, voluntarily
surrendered to the joint elements of the 17th Infantry Battalion and 5th
Civil Military Operations Battalion following successful negotiations
headed by Lt Col Loreto C Magundayao Jr. at Camp Melchor F dela Cruz,
Upi, Gamu, Isabela on August 6.
Reports reaching the Headquarters Philippine Army identified the
surrenderee as Arman Luciano Baguitan, a member of the Militia ng Bayan
and an active pasa bilis of the CPP/NPA operating in Sta. Clara, Gonzaga,
Cagayan from 2006 to 2008. He opted to surrender to the government
forces, because according to him, the Social Integration Program (SIP)
being offered by the government and the AFP for rebel returnees could
provide him ample opportunity to be reintegrated into the mainstream
society.
Baguitan was formally presented to Maj Gen Nestor G Ochoa, commander of
the Army's 5th Infantry Division. He received P50,000.00 cash and a
financial livelihood assistance.
The government's Social Integration Program continue to cater to NPA
rebels who would decide to go back to the folds of law and become
productive citizens of the country. Armed with this measure, there is no
doubt that the Philippine Army can make insurgency insignificant by
2010, thus, ensuring that the years after will be peaceful and
progressive ones. #
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