By Gideon C. Corgue
OROQUIETA CITY – A former member of the National People’s Army (NPA) received a check amounting to P221,000 from the Philippine Army (PA) during the ceremonial turnover of firearms held recently at the Provincial Farmers Cultural and Training Center, Capitol Compound here.
Joseph C. Segovia, 25, known as “JM” received cash assistance from PA’s Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) during the signing of a joint resolution declaring Misamis Occidental as Conflict-Manageable and Development-Ready province.
1st Tabak Division Commander BGen. Gerry Barrientos Jr. said JM was given such an amount, which was equivalent to the firearms he surrendered under Guns for Peace Program of the AFP. “This Program is a component of the CLIP, which encourages the rebels to lay down their arms and abandon the armed struggle to become productive citizens,” Barrientos explained.
Segovia was a former rebel working for the “Baking Front” of CPP-NPA operating in Mount Malindang.
Accordingly, JM was recruited by CPP-NDF in 2012 with the promise of financial support for the family and monthly wages.
In an interview with Philippine Information Agency (PIA), JM said he realized the futility of armed struggle and the threat of being liquidated by his own comrades, as well as the hardship caused by pressures from AFP and PNP operations.
JM said he left the armed group and voluntarily surrendered with his M-16 and 3 assault rifles or baby armalite to the Philippine Army in Dec. 2012 in Ozamis City. After his surrender, he was instrumental in the recovery of the bodies of three other rebels who were killed by their own comrades. Their bodies were retrieved with 2 AK-47 rifles, 1 M16 rifle, assorted ammunitions, medical kits subversive documents and personal belongings.
JM thanked the national government through the Philippine Army for the CLIP program.
“Dako kaayo akong kalipay nga nahatagan ug bili sa nasudnong kagamhanan pinaagi sa Philippine Army ang akong pagtahan ug pagbalik sa sabakan sa balaod. Pinaagi niini akong makauban ang akong asawa ug anak ug magpuyo nga magmalinawon sa katilingban,” JM said.
(I am very grateful that the national government through the Philippine Army gave me the chance to surrender and to return to the folds of law. With this, I can be reunited with my wife and son and to live peacefully in our society.)
Asked what would he do with the cash assistance he received from the government, JM answered he would use the money for his family.
“Akong gamiton ang kwarta pinaagi pagsugod sa pangkinabuhiang proyekto aron akong suportahan ang akong pamilya ug gamiton usab paggasto sa edukasyon sa akong anak.”
(I will use the money to start a livelihood project to support my family and for the education of my son.)
JM encouraged his former rebel-comrades to surrender and return to the folds of law.
“Akong gidasig ang akong mga kauban kanhi sa grupo nga motahan sa inyong kaugalingon ug mobalik sa sabakan sa balaod kay adunay mga kaayuhan nga atong madawat sa gobyerno ug magpuyo uban sa atong pamilya nga magmalinawon,” JM appealed.
(I encourage my former comrades to surrender and return to the folds of law because as certain benefits await us from the government and to be able live with our family peacefully.)