LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, July 20 (PIA) - Former rebels (FRs)   in Region I now join the call of the government to curb insurgency to attain lasting peace in the country. 

in a simple ceremony during the Bike for Peace and Justice held in Pangasinan on Saturday, four former rebels thanked the government led by President Rodrigo Duterte for helping them and accepting them back into the society where they now live peaceful lives.

Ka Devon, who represented the former rebels organization in Ilocos Region,  said he decided to go back to the government side because he has seen the injustice and senseless killings being done by the communist-terrorist groups to helpless civilians

“Dahil natuklasan namin na mali na ang ginagawa ng komunista, kami po ay nakiikiisa sa inyo ngayon at nagsasabi na  huwag na nating tangkilikin ang komunistang kilusan,” he added.

Other  FRs, Romulo Manzano, Salvador Monje and Ronald Pascasio said they have seen the change in the country being implemented by the law enforcement agencies  which enticed them to give up their  false beliefs.

Yung tulong ng gobyerno, umaabot na sa amin ngayon. Dahil tuluy-tuloy ang pagbabago, wala pong tutunguhan ang NPA kundi magbalik loob. Nakikita nila kung ano ang ginagawa ng gobyerno para maresolba ang kaguluhan sa bansa,” Manzano said.

The FRs also  extended their sympathies to the Absalon family where cousins Keith and Nolven Absalon were killed when an improvised explosive device exploded in a landmine in Masbate City.

By virtue of Executive Order No. 70 by President Duterte in 2018,  the whole-of nation approach was institutionalized to attain  inclusive and sustainable peace, creating a national task force to end local communist armed conflict (JCR/VHS/PIA Pangasinan) 

PHOTO:  Four former rebels thanked the government led by President Rodrigo Duterte for helping them and accepting them back into the society where they now live peaceful lives. (RPM)