ILOILO City – Thirteen former rebels completed a “de-radicalization” program at Camp General Macario B. Peralta Jr. in Jamindan, Capiz from Sept. 22 to Oct. 2.
They will be utilized to convince former comrades to turn their backs from the communist insurgency and embrace better opportunities that await them, said Army Major Cenon Pancito III, Public Affairs division chief of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID).
“We want to produce good speakers and cadres. We know that the main weapons of the NPA (New People’s Army) are their very good speakers, learned cadres who can really speak,” he said.
The 3ID picked those with high educational attainment and those with the potential to become good speakers, or already speakers when they were with the movement.
Five from Panay Island and eight from Negros Island who voluntarily surrendered underwent “de-radicalization” with the support of the People’s Advocacy for Collaboration and Empowerment, an organization of former rebels.
They will be sent to counter those organizing and recruiting for the armed movement, said Pancito.
“We believe former rebels have authority to speak aside from the Philippine Army. We talked to them and told them that the government needs their help. We are glad they are with us in our campaign against the insurgency,” Pancito said.
He hoped that this “non-traditional tool” will “effectively deliver our desire to put an end to the insurgency.
Two other former rebels from Bohol also joined the training virtually. (With a report from PNA/PN)
