CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro (PIA) -- "Nasamsam namin ang 19 na iba’t-ibang uri ng armas mula sa mga rebeldeng sumuko sa buong rehiyon na karamihan ay mga katutubong Mangyan," said Police Regional Office Director Brigadier General Joel Doria during the ‘Demilitarization of 19 Assorted Firearms from Former Rebels (FR) and Militia ng Bayan (MB)' conducted at Camp Efigenio C. Navarro in this city on September 11.

According to Doria, the weapons include M-16 rifles, shotguns, improvised firearms and caliber 45 guns. After destroying the said weapons, it will immediately be turned-over to the police headquarters in Camp Crame in Quezon City. Meanwhile, there are about 70 unprocessed weapons that are still from surrendered rebels, which is also scheduled to be destroyed in the next few days.

Also attended to witness the destruction of the confiscated weapons were 203rd Infantry 'Bantay Kapayapaan' Brigade Commander Randolph Cabangbang and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Provincial Director Ma. Victoria Del Rosario.

"Bagamat wala na sa 100 ang bilang ng mga rebeldeng grupo sa buong isla ng Mindoro ay patuloy pa rin ang aming ginagawang monitoring sa mga baybayin dahil iyon lamang ang maaari nilang daanan na karamihan sa kanila ay nagmula pa sa ibang lalawigan. Nagpapasalamat pa rin kami sa ating mga kababayan na agad ipinapaalam sa kanilang punong barangay o sa pulisya kung may mga bagong mukha silang nakikita sa kanilang lugar,” said Cabangbang.

Cabangbang also called on the rebels who wishes to surrender, the military and police stations throughout the region are open for their peaceful surrender.

Cabangbang added that they are ready to take care of the surrendered rebels so that they can enjoy a good life with their families and be given the opportunity to change their lives through the benefits provided to them by the government through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E- CLIP).

E-CLIP is a government program that aims to help members of the CPP-NPA-NDF and the MB who want to return to the government and the community, so that they can be reunited with their family, which will also give them another chance in life. This government assistance is not only for their welfare but also for their family and community. (GATS/PIA MIMAROPA)