By PNA and U.S. News Agency / Asian

A peace initiative launched by the Army and the local government unit (LGU) of Abra scored a positive result with the surrender of 20 rebels of the New People’s Army (NPA) in the area for the last seven months.

Colonel Eliseo C. Posadas, commander of the Army’s 503rd Brigade based in Lagangilang, Abra, said the peace initiative was dubbed as “Kabsat ko, Ipategko” (My brother, I will love him) or KIP.

KIP, spearheaded by the provincial government of Abra led by Governor Eustaquio Bersamin, was strongly supported by the Philippine Army (PA).

Since its launching, KIP encouraged the surrender of 20 NPA rebels for the period July 2011 to January 31, 2012.

“Of 20 surrenderees, 13 were from Abra and the others from Kalinga and Cagayan provinces,” Posadas said.

He noted that the prominent NPA personality, who surrendered last month was Arnel Balucas, alias “Layab”, a well – known NPA leader operating in the Cordillera region.

Recently, two NPA rebels surrendered to the Army’s 41st Infantry Battalion based at Sitio Baquiro, Licuan-Baay after they learned the good program being implemented in Abra. They were Romeo C. Peralta, alias “Magnu,” and Jose Javier, alias “Delfin”, both natives of Cagayan Province.

The two rebels decided to surrender when they felt the sincerity of the peace program pushed jointly by the Army and Abra LGU.

Under the rules and procedures of KIP, an NPA rebel who volunteers to surrender will be placed under the custody of the Joint Validation and Authentication Committee (JVAC) for processing.

The JVAC is composed of the Army, police and the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO).

Afterwards, the surrenderee is immediately presented to the Provincial Health Office for medical check-up and stress debriefing and then later subjected to moral/spiritual enlightenment.

Normally, all the other personal requirements of the surrenderee will be provided courtesy of the PSWDO.

The custodial debriefing of the surrendered rebel will follow. He will be interviewed by members of the JVAC. If he will be confirmed by JVAC, he will be presented to the provincial governor and his benefits will be handed to him in the form of cash assistance and livelihood.

Special cash remuneration is also given immediately by the Philippine Army if the surrenderee turns-in his firearm.

Through the KIP, the surrenderee is also provided legal assistance for the clearance of his pending or criminal liabilities as long as the cases are insurgency-related.

After clearing his civil liabilities, he will be adopted through the KIP where a sponsor will be required to assist him in his reintegration into the community.

The local chief executive will also provide assistance to the surrenderee through the local integration programs.

KIP is one of the programs that the Army will pursue in support of the peace process being implemented by the Aquino government for the peaceful resolution of armed conflicts.

However, Posadas said that the strength of the NPA’s armed group has already remarkably reduced due to the Bayanihan efforts of the Army in the barangays.

He also said that most of the NPAs were now demoralized due to their setback in Tineg, Abra area when they sustained big casualties in an encounter with the Army soldiers.