Regional Director Karl Caesar R. Rimando of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) today July 27, 2020 congratulated the Philippine National Police as well as partner organizations that helped 11 members of the communist terrorist group (CTG) to surface.
The former rebels composed of ten males and one female ranging in age from 26 to 60 years old, from Samar, Eastern Samar and Leyte provinces were presented in a press conference this morning at the Police Regional Office 8 headquarters in Palo, Leyte.
The former rebels likewise turned over to authorities various high-powered firearms and ammunition, helping impair the ability of the outlawed group to initiate extortion, ambushes and other crimes. They are now in government custody and will be endorsed to receive assistance under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) to help in their return to mainstream society.
PRO-8 Regional Director Police Brigadier General Bernabe M. Balba said this was a defining moment as it occurs just days after the send-off ceremonies for the police and law enforcement teams under the Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) in three towns in Samar (Sta. Rita, Basey and Marabut).
Director Rimando believes that the heightened coordination between the police, armed forces, intelligence sector and the community is proof of the effectiveness of the whole of nation strategy under President Rodrigo Duterte’s Executive Order 70.
He sees that with the increasing ownership shouldered by local and national governments to identify and resolve festering issues, residents of remote barangays will no longer be easily swayed by the lies of communist insurgents.
He further requested the surfacers to encourage those still involved in the fading rebellion to approach LGUs or any law enforcement officer who will gladly welcome them and facilitate their return to a peaceful and productive life.“Ipaabot ninyo sa lahat na nagkakaisa po ang ating pamahalaan at ibang sektor sa pagbibigay tugon sa kanilang mga lehitimong hinaing. Ang ating pamahalaan ay nakahandang ibigay ang unawa at pagmamahal sa lahat ng nagnanais ng tunay na kapayapaan. Iisa ang pangarap nating mga Pilipino: tahimik, maayos at maunlad na pamayanan para sa ating mga pamilya,” Director Rimando said. (Ipadangat niyo ha tanan nga nagkaka-urusa an gobyerno ngan iba nga sektor ha paghatag hin baton ha ano man nga lehitimo nga araba. Andam an aton pamunoan maghatag hin pag-intindi ngan gugma ha tanan nga karuyag hin kalinaw. Uusa an aton hingyap nga mga Pilipino: an murayaw, hapsay ngan mainuswagon nga kinabuhi para hit aton tagsa nga pamilya). ###
Approved:
KARL CAESAR R. RIMANDO, CESO IV
Regional Director
