Terrorists Loses Grip on N. Samar Gov’t True To Promise
Scared no more.
Years of trauma and fear, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) confirmed the province of Northern Samar to be free from the influence of the rebel groups.
Local Governments Secretary Benhur Abalos, Jr. affirmed that there had been observations that communities are bravely refusing to submit to these communist terrorist groups (CTG).
Reports from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) showed a positive result in their campaigns.
A Second Chance
Members of the dissident group had chosen to abandon their groups and surrender to the government.
As of this writing, 16 former rebel returnees were met by Abalos and turned over over P160,000 worth of livelihood and financial assistance.
As immediate aid, each former rebel received P15,000, P50,000 for livelihood assistance and remuneration for surrendered firearms.
This approach had been proven effective specially for rebels looking for a second chance to start their lives.
Community Support
Abalos, meanwhile, acknowledged the important role of the communities in this endeavor.
While there is are still sightings of seven roving vertical formations of the New People’s Army in the province, the lack of support had greatly weakened the former strongholds the CTG.
This made it easier for the armed forces to penetrate and disband said groups.
According to the locals, they are tired and no longer fearful feeling secured that the AFP have their backs.
This cooperation proved that, at times, the government will only succeed when the people themselves start to act to address the problem at its roots.
And in times when the community hold their ground, the government would not leave them alone to fight their battles.
“Once the police and army have finished their mission, it’s not right to just leave a barangay to fend for itself. We can only achieve peace by having this kind of intervention at the grassroots level — build streets, provide water, electricity, and set up schools,” Abalos said.
Give What Was Promised
Now, with the positive response, it is up to the government to keep what they promised.
In the first place, it was poverty that led the former rebels and supporters to believe in the ideas and false promises of the CTG. It is now up to the government to deliver.
Many of the returnees were motivated by the chance to avail a livelihood support more than the immediate financial assistance.
They hoped that the on the part of the government, these are not deceptions and false promises.
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