The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reported Sunday that some 560 former New People Army (NPA) rebels, who once wield deadly weapons, are now holding farm tools and mechanic’s gizmos as they have decided to turn their backs against banditry and instead avail themselves of the government’s Social Integration Program (SIP).

The AFP Civil Relations Service (CRS) under Brig. Gen. Francisco Cruz, Jr. revealed that a total of 560 former NPA rebels who have gone back to the fold of the law have availed themselves of the SIP program of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) in cooperation with the AFP and local government units (LGUs).

Cruz said the SIP has undoubtedly weakened the NPA as an organization as more and more of its members now feel the sincerity of the government, and continue to come out and reconcile with their families.

Among the rebels who have availed themselves of the government’s offer for them to start a new life under the folds of the law are indigenous people’s groups like the Banwaon and Manobo; amazons, and former child combatants. The largest number of surrenderees came from the Caraga Region with 101 surrenderees, followed with 64 from Central Luzon and 54 from Socsargen. The rest were scattered all over the country.

The former rebels received immediate assistance of P20,000 each, as well as livelihood assistance and corresponding remuneration for the firearms they surrendered.

In line with the program, the OPASS has already provided a total of P109.6 million in livelihood assistance. Former rebels can get as much as P70,000 – P100, 000 for a single high-powered firearm they surrender.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) has gifted prospective candidates for electoral posts in the entire province of Batangas with a conducive election climate following the capture in Poblacion Tres, Talisay, Batangas of NPA finance officers out to distribute coercion and extortion letters for the forthcoming campaign period.

Captured by the PAF 730th Combat Group in a recent operation were Billy Baterina alias “Ka Impoy,” Sonny Rogelio alias “Ka Miguel” or “Ka Gabby,” and Charity Denio alias “Ka Sandra,” the finance officer of the Batangas-Cavite Guerilla Front Finance Committee. Recovered from their possession were two caliber .45 pistols, one 9mm pistol, one improvised explosive device (IED) complete with a detonating cord and a blasting cap, two hand grenades, ammunition, coercion letters and terrorist documents.

Lt. Col. Vincent Incognito, commander of the 730th Combat Group of the PAF’s 710th Special Operation Wing, said intelligence reports coming from local military and police operatives said the presence of Denio in the area was apparently in preparation for a full-blown election-related extortion activities by the bandits.

Incognito revealed that “permits to campaign,” an NPA extortion scheme every election period, were set for distribution in the guise of holiday greetings this Christmas. The PAF official said the operation by the government forces, which was carried out along with intelligence operatives from the Philippine National Police and Philippine Navy operating in the area, was launched to curb the extortion activities of the NPA in Batangas.