Ex-NPA members from Mindanao to tour Manila

February 6, 2018

Nearly 700 former communist New People's Army from Mindanao will be toured in Manila and provided livelihood assistance, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on Tuesday.

Of the 683 leftist rebels who surrendered last year, the first batch of 217 were flown to Manila via two C-130 to have a free tour in Metro Manila and Bulacan, Major Ezra Balagtey, Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) spokesman, said in a statement.

Chief of Staff Gen. Rey Leonado Guerrero will welcome the first batch of former rebels in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Wednesday.

The first batch includes those who surrendered from Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley.

“To encourage active participation of the former rebels in nation-building and peace-building, on the following day the surrenderers will have an educational tour at the Intramuros, Malacañang, and other historic places to awaken their nationalism,” Balagtey said.

“In coordination with Technical Education and Skills Development Authority they will also be brought to the mushroom production and other farms in Bulacan to help them get ideas on how to improve their lives and be self-sustaining,” he added. Robina Asido/DMS