ROXAS City – A total of 84 former rebels from Panay and Negros islands gathered for a dialogue early this month.
The event dubbed as “Balik-Loob sa Isla ng Panay at Negros” was held at Camp Adriano Hernandez in Dingle, Iloilo on July 2 and at the Negros Occidental Provincial Police Office’s (Nocppo) headquarters on July 3.
“The activity will not only justify the influx of surrenderees in Panay and Negros islands but will also give an opportunity to the former rebels to attest their sincerity in returning to the folds of the government,” said Brigadier General Dinoh Dolina, commander of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division.
Local government units and media members participated in the dialogue.
Of the 84, 39 are from Panay and 45, from Negros.
Dolina said the surrederees are “living witnesses” of the communist group’s cruelty.
The events also “confirms the genuineness of the government to help them start a new life,” he added.
Also present during the dialogue in Iloilo were Department of the Interior and Local Government-Capiz director John Ace Azarcon, Iloilo Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office head Rani Melvie Cuarte, Severino Palec of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority-Iloilo, Superintendent Ronmar Deregil of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office, and Senior Inspector Ruby Magallanes of the Capiz Police Provincial Office.
In Negros, Jonnel Rañeses of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process-Negros, Engineer Alejandro Ongsuco of the National Housing Authority-Provincial Office and representatives from of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, Provincial Peace and Development Office and Nocppo attended the event. (With a report from PIA/PN)
