ZAMBOANGA CITY, Oct 11 (PIA) – Friends rescued or former Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) members are seeking the speedy litigation of their pending cases so that they can live their lives with their families with peace of mind.

Around sixty (60) former rebels, some captured and mostly rescued that have already sincerely expressed their allegiance to the Philippine flag and abandon the ideals of the Community Terrorist Group, have gathered for a Regional Summit of FR Leaders, recently in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur.

With the help of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) and various regional government line agencies, the FRs have plotted plans to help them return to mainstream society as productive members of the community.

Livelihood assistance, jobs creation, upskilling and capacity-building programs, educational programs for themselves and their children, and the review and speedy solution of pending cases in court were among the initial plans that would help them towards completing their transformation journey.

The provincial legal officer of Zamboanga del Sur, Atty. Jose Ruel Saniel has appealed to his colleagues and counterparts in Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga Sibugay province, including the regional prosecutor’s office and the Department of Justice to help the friends rescued (formers rebels) with the speedy dismissal of their cases in courts. This, he said, will accelerate their ful transformation and mainstream back to society.

Atty Saniel said that this entails a serious and genuine collaboration of stakeholders—the DOJ, the local government units, the military and police—in order to showcase the government’s sincerity towards attaining a genuine peace in the country.

OPAPRU led the convention of the Summit and introduced the Transformation Program for former rebels (or friends rescued).

OPAPRU Secretary Carlito Galvez said that Region 9 is a good example of the implementation of the NTF-ELCAC program of the government because of the great support shown by the local chief executives and regional directors in delivering their programs and services to the former conflict-affected barangays. He added that through Executive Order No. 70, the people have felt the genuine service of the national government agencies. (EDT/RVC/PIA9)