By Ruben A.Veloria
CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga, Philippines –
“The time should not come when Filipinos will shoot among ourselves,” this was what Zambales Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. said during the mass oath taking of rebel returnees of allegiance to government.
Gov. Ebdane, the concurrent Chairman of the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC), was invited to inspire with his message the 64 former members and supporters of the communist guerilla movement or Underground Mass Organizations (UGMO) who surrendered to government forces in different occasions.
“I hope this shall continue for good,” the governor said, and added, “Ako ay natutuwa dahil sa muli inyong pagtitiwala sa ating pamahalaan na bukas-palad kayong tutulungan na makabalik sa inyong normal na pamumuhay.”
“Hindi dapat dumating sa pagtkakataon na tayong mga Pilipino ang maglalaban-laban,” Ebdane said. Mentioning that the problem started with misunderstanding regarding religion, culture and ideology. And because of conflicts many were neglected. “But it is now different.”
Gov. Ebdane invited by Police Regional (R3) Director P/BGeneral Jess B. Mendez as he believe that the presence of RPOC Chairman, would greatly inspire the returnees as they reintegrate into the mainstream of the society.
Meanwhile, BGen. Mendez said the national government, through its armed agencies especially the Philippine National Police, with Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC), was able to conduct intensified community legal engagements and localized peace engagement.
“These engagements resulted in a significant number of UGMO members and supporters to return to the fold of the government,” said Gen. Mendez.
Also present during the ceremony was former KADAMAY member Francisco Santiago, KADAMAY or Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap is considered the largest militant alliance of urban poor organizations in the country, advocating for housing for the poor, livelihood, and social services.
After the ceremony, a Serbisyo Caravan also been held at the multi-purpose hall of Camp Olivas to assist the returnees to help themselves normalized their lives and families easier. The caravan was participated in by technical staff from Department of Agriculture, Dept. of Trade, DSWD, TESDA, DOH3, DENR3, CHED, SSS, DOLE, PHILHEALTH, and NBI-3.
