Wednesday, June 16, 2010

News update Former rebels awarded cash

Camp Ruperto Kangleon , Palo, Leyte - The Philippine Army (PA) in Eastern Visayas has awarded a total of P110 thousand pesos to three former rebels, the highest military commander in the region told reporters in an interview here.

Major General Arthur Tabaquero, Commanding General of the PA's 8th Infantry Division (8ID) based in Camp Lukban, Catbalogan City, Samar, said his office has extended cash rewards to three former rebels who returned to the folds of the law and became the newest beneficiaries of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process's (OPAPP) Social Integration Program (SIP) in Eastern Visayas.

Tabaquero was in the PNP-8 regional office, based here, to receive his award from Chief Philippine National Police (PNP) Police Director General Jesus Verzosa last June 9, in recognition of the 8ID's exemplary participation in the recently conducted May 10 elections in Eastern Visayas, which was generally regarded as honest, orderly and peaceful.

He disclosed that Angelito Remojo, alias Gino/Dokdok in the underground movement and a former member of Pingkoy Platoon, and Francisco Terano of Consuegra, Leyte received fifty thousand pesos (P50, 000.00) each for surrendering an M16A1 rifle and a US rifle M2 carbine, along with magazines and live munitions.

He added that P10, 000.00 was also given to Gerald Perez known as Kino when he was still with the Mt. Amendawin Command, for negotiating the surrender of Reynaldo Batan, alias Jerry of the Front Operation Command (FOC) of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC).

In a previous related development, Tabaquero told reporters that sometime in March this year, Mr. Filomeno Somera Jr., OPAPP Region 8 coordinator also awarded P20, 000.00 each to close to 20 former rebels who came from Northern and Eastern Samar, as initial financial assistance. These rebels stand to receive additional cash awards after their papers are fully validated.