From the Visayan Daily Star (Aug 30): NPA leader surrenders
An alleged vice squad leader of the Rachel May Palang Command of the New People’s Army in Negros Oriental, Jerome Rio Bilimac, voluntarily surrendered yesterday to Gov. Roel Degamo at the provincial Capitol building in Dumaguete City.
Bilimac, 24, of Sitio Kaputianan, Barangay San Roque in San Jose town, Negros Oriental, turned himself in first to his uncle, Willy Retes, a barangay tanod of San Roque, and to Barangay Captain Alvin Omaguing on August 22.
The surrender of Bilimac, alias Ka Raymund, Ka Rey and Ka Maisa, was witnessed by 302ndBrigade deputy commander, Col. Christopher Estella, Army officers, and Department of Social Welfare and Development officer Alice Lagarde.
Degamo assured the rebel returnee of his safety under the custody of the 79thInfantry Battalion, while documentary requirements are being processed for the financial and livelihood assistance that will be given to him.
Bilimac said he was a machine gunner of the Rachel Mae Palang Command for four years and had participated in several armed encounters with the Army, like the ones in Sugpo, Kulabyawan and in Bungabong, Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental.
He said he decided to surrender because he wants to live peacefully and to spend more time with his family. He said he was taken advantage of by the group that recruited and indoctrinated him into the underground movement.
Degamo said Bilimac’s surrender is timely, with the commemoration of the National Peace Month in September.
Estella said they are thankful for the support of Degamo, and stressed the need to finally win the peace in the province, and other parts of the country. “We need the help of the community in believing that peace can be achieved by bringing government closer to the people, through Oplan Bayanihan, medical missions and peace fora, among others,” he added.
He said the surrender of Bilimac is a good indication that the government is gaining ground in winning the peace in Negros Oriental.
http://www.visayandailystar.com/2013/August/30/negor3.htm
An alleged vice squad leader of the Rachel May Palang Command of the New People’s Army in Negros Oriental, Jerome Rio Bilimac, voluntarily surrendered yesterday to Gov. Roel Degamo at the provincial Capitol building in Dumaguete City.
Bilimac, 24, of Sitio Kaputianan, Barangay San Roque in San Jose town, Negros Oriental, turned himself in first to his uncle, Willy Retes, a barangay tanod of San Roque, and to Barangay Captain Alvin Omaguing on August 22.
The surrender of Bilimac, alias Ka Raymund, Ka Rey and Ka Maisa, was witnessed by 302ndBrigade deputy commander, Col. Christopher Estella, Army officers, and Department of Social Welfare and Development officer Alice Lagarde.
Degamo assured the rebel returnee of his safety under the custody of the 79thInfantry Battalion, while documentary requirements are being processed for the financial and livelihood assistance that will be given to him.
Bilimac said he was a machine gunner of the Rachel Mae Palang Command for four years and had participated in several armed encounters with the Army, like the ones in Sugpo, Kulabyawan and in Bungabong, Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental.
He said he decided to surrender because he wants to live peacefully and to spend more time with his family. He said he was taken advantage of by the group that recruited and indoctrinated him into the underground movement.
Degamo said Bilimac’s surrender is timely, with the commemoration of the National Peace Month in September.
Estella said they are thankful for the support of Degamo, and stressed the need to finally win the peace in the province, and other parts of the country. “We need the help of the community in believing that peace can be achieved by bringing government closer to the people, through Oplan Bayanihan, medical missions and peace fora, among others,” he added.
He said the surrender of Bilimac is a good indication that the government is gaining ground in winning the peace in Negros Oriental.
http://www.visayandailystar.com/2013/August/30/negor3.htm