Davao Occidental gov offers Reds cash to surrender: P2M per ranking NPA leader

DIGOS CITY—-The provincial government of Davao Occidental is offering as much as P2 million each to lure ranking leaders of New People’s Army (NPA) to surrender. “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” said Gov. Claude Bautista. Bautista said the sooner guerrillas yield, the better. He did not explain where the money would come from. Aside from the cash offer, house and lots and scholarships await families of rebel leaders if they gave up, said the governor. Ranking rebel leaders could get P2 million each while those with lower ranks could get P1 million each, he said. He said the cash offer doesn’t run into conflict with an earlier declaration by the provincial government of rebels as persona non grata or unwelcome. “I am giving them the best chance they could get,” Bautista said. With the money and other packages, the governor said rebels could start a new life and engage in businesses The incentives being dangled by the provincial government is on top of that which the national government is offering under what is called as Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-Clip). Lt. Col. Ronaldo Valdez, head of the Army’s 73rd Infantry Battalion, said rebels who would surrender with their firearms would get payment for the guns. Valdez said the added incentives offered by the Davao Occidental provincial government would entice “more NPA rebels to surrender knowing they are fighting a useless cause.” Valdez said rebels are now confined to Jose Abad Santos town./Edited by TSB