BY: ROI ANTHONI B. LOMOTAN
SIATON, Negros Oriental, Apr. 22 (PIA) – Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo considers the recent surrender of a former rebel to the government a welcome development to his administration.
In a briefing yesterday at the headquarters of the Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion (IB) in Siaton town, Gov. Degamo said the surrender of Maribeth Lascunia, alias Raylin/Antonina, an alleged member of the PG Squad 1, alternate PG AYP Team and Head Technical of South Eastern Front of the Komiteng Rehiyon Negros, would show how serious the government is in addressing peace and order issues in the province.
Maribeth Lascunia was the daughter of Jury Lascunia, alias Rebas, also a former rebel who surrendered to government troops last July 2013. Rebas was reunited with his daughter in the 79th IB Headquarters.
Gov. Degamo thinks the surrender of Maribeth is timely since the Provincial Government is about to declare Negros Oriental a “Conflict Manageable and Development Ready Province.”
“This is a very good development as far as I am concerned because as governor, we want to tell the whole Philippines and the whole world that our province is peaceful and there is no longer disorder as far as insurgency is concerned,” Gov. Degamo said in local dialect.
During the briefing, Gov. Degamo told the two former rebels that they can rely on the provincial government in the delivery of programs and services, especially job to those living in hinterland areas.
To recall, Raylin was among the rebels who had an encounter with the soldiers of the 79th IB in Sitio Makasakasa in Brgy. Balayong, Pamplona last April 3.
Lascunia got her left arm wounded during the encounter and later on sought refuge and took rest at a house in Sitio Baliwon, Brgy. Balayong, Pamplona.
The next day, government troops went to the house to convince Lascunia to surrender and offered medication to her wounded arm. The soldiers also brought a barangay official during the discussion, an added assurance that she won’t be harmed by military personnel.
Later on, she went to the house of the said barangay official, took a bath and changed fresh clothes then went off to Sibulan with the soldiers.
On April 7, Rebas arrived in the 79th IB Headquarters for an interview with Alicia Lagarde, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer. It was then he got reunited with his daughter. Raylin was with the rebel group for two years she said.
During the briefing, Raylin said she was well taken cared of in her stay in the soldier’s headquarters.
When asked what are her plans now, Railyn said she considers going back to school to help her family.
Meanwhile, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Alica Lagarde said the two can avail of the provincial government’s assistance under its Local Social Integration Program for Rebel Returnees.
Aside from this, Lagarde announced that Office of the Presidential Adviser of the Peace Process (OPAPP) now offers college scholarship for rebel returnees. She explained the OPAPP will give P5,000 cash assistance for rebel returnees or to their families per semester.
Lagarde also disclosed that the OPAPP has plans to enroll former rebels in PhilHealth services. She said OPAPP is planning to pay premium payments of PhilHealth of rebel returnees.
On the other hand, Brigadier Gen. Francisco Patrimonio, Commander of the 302nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army once again made a call to the members of the rebel group New People’s Army (NPA) operating in the province to abandon armed struggle and comeback to mainstream society peacefully.
Patrimonio stressed that the government and the military will address the issue through peaceful means.
“If you (want) to go back to mainstream society and live a peaceful life here in the province, you are very much welcome and the government is more than willing to give you support,” Gen. Patrimonio appeals to NPA members.
Patrimonio added that once the province is declared “Conflict Manageable and Development Ready” there is a possibility that more investors would be coming in the province and invest in different industries here, thus, opening employment opportunities to all people.
What we want here is a peaceful and prosperous life for the Negrenses, Patrimonio said. (mbcn/RAL/PIA7-NEGOR)