PIA-8 (29 March) --- The government scores anew in its campaign for the hinterlands to become insurgent-free, as one communist leader and two others surrendered to the operatives of the 19th Infantry Battalion based in Barangay Aguiting, Kananga, Leyte on March 15.

The surrenderees were identified as Luciano Casinilio Sr @ Olang/ Ernie together with his son Luciano Casinilio Jr @ Titing, and one Allan Lumpay, all residents and native of Barangay Mataluto, Leyte, Leyte, 2Lt. Gabriel Aranez, public information officer said.

During the surrender, Olang brought along with him his issued cal.45 loaded with live ammunitions and also handed over subversive documents. The surrenderees also brought along their personal belongings like cellular phones and transistor radios.

It was learned that the surrender was negotiated through the efforts of the newly-installed Battalion Commander Lieutenant Colonel Robert S. Capulong. It was reported that the three were visiting a friend at Barangay Camansi at Carigara, Leyte at around 8:30 in the evening of March 15 when the negotiation finally materialized.

Olang is reported to be an executive committee member of the remnants of Northern Leyte Front and the Vice Commander of the Mt Amandewin Command while his son Titing is a member of the said front and Lumpay is among their contacts or supporters. They are operating in the hinter barangays of the Second and Third Districts of Leyte.

The CT leader confessed, that for so many years he waited in vain, for the fulfillment of what was promised to them during their recruitment. However, all those remain as promises and mere "propaganda" of the NPA, the CT leader said.

The surrenderee said that poverty and revenge against abusive people were his main reason in joining the communist terrorists group. But these were not given justice. Instead, his and his companions' lives became more miserable, transferring from one place to another, leaving their families in fear, wondering if they will ever come back alive.

The CT leader said that especially nowadays when everybody is experiencing the effects of crisis, financial supports were also stopped by their supporters. Many of their leaders went "lie-low" and more so, the CT leader said he envies the lives of those who surrenderred earlier who are now enjoying freely in the community, with livelihood to earn honest money.

Upon learning the government's program for livelihood and other benefits, the CT leader said, he decided to surrender together with his son and another supporter.

To show his sincerity in coming back into the folds of the government, the CT leader said he is willing to cooperate with the Philippine Army.

Lt. Colonel Capulong who was installed as the new Commanding Officer of the 19th IB on March 6, 2009, said that the return into the folds of the law of the three communist terrorists, will contribute to the achievement of peace and development in the area.

With sustained programs being offered by the government to the repentant rebels and their supporters, Lt. Colonel Capulong expressed optimism that more Cts will lay down their firearms and come back into the folds of the law and live a normal life in a free society.

Lt. Colonel Capulong underscored that the government is implementing programs that will reinvigorate the lives of those rebels who wish to come back into the folds of the law and live a normal and decent life.

One of these, he said, is the Social Integration Program (SIP) which is being implemented by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, wherein substantial benefits are given to former rebels, in the form of start-up capital for a gainful livelihood, to be able to start a new life.

The Provincial Government of Leyte under the leadership of Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla, and the municipal government of Kananga under the leadership of Mayor Elmer Codilla, have their respective versions of programs that would help mainstream former rebels to the society, Lt. Colonel Capulong said.