ILIGAN CITY (PIA)--The 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade welcomed back to the fold of law three former New People's Army (NPA) fighters from Agusan del Sur who abandoned the armed struggle and surrendered to one of the operating units of the Brigade on Sunday, August 1.

Brigade Commander Col. Rey Alemania lauded the former rebels (FRs) for making the right decision to withdraw their membership from the NPA saying it would lead them to a new and more peaceful life with their families.

"Amo kamong ginawelcome sa pagbalik sa normal nga panginabuhi. Makit-an ninyo ang inyong pamilya, inyong pangandoy nga makauli sa mga pamilya ug makapanginabuhi mo og normal, inyo na gyud nang matuman," he said.

[We welcome your return to normal life. You will see your family, your desire to be home back to your families and live a normal life, you can now fulfill it.]

Alemania said the government, through the Task Force on Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (TF-ELCAC), will try its best to give what the FRs need for as long as they are sincere in returning to the government's fold.

Under the government's Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), former rebels will receive a complete set of benefits. On top of the E-CLIP benefits, they can also avail of various programs from different government agencies such as financial, livelihood, housing, educational, and medical assistance.

Alemania also told the FRs that the government's anti-insurgency program is about bringing meaningful and sustainable development to the countryside.

"Ang pinag-uusapan natin sa TF-ELCAC hindi yung paano umakyat sa bundok at makipaggyera doon at ubusin yung NPA. Ang usapan natin doon sa TF-ELCAC ay paano maiparating sa mga barangay at malalayong lugar ang serbisyo ng gobyerno, at paano mahikayat yung mga nasa NPA na mabalik dito sa normal," he said.

[What we are talking about at TF-ELCAC is not how to go to the mountains to fight there and kill all the NPA. What we are talking about at TF-ELCAC is how to bring government services to barangays and remote areas, and how to encourage those in the NPA to return back to normal.]

According to him, the government is serious to finally put an end to the insurgency problem. (APB/PIA-ICIC)