By Mar T. Supnad
CAMP BGEN OSCAR M FLORENDO, La Union – Seventy-two rebel returnees and supporters who turned their back to re-integrate the society took an oath of allegiance to the Constitution during the launching of “Oplan Pinagsubli” in San Quintin, Pangasinan.
At the symbolic oath-taking held at the Provincial Agriculture and Veterinary Field Office in Barangay Gonzalo, the rebel returnees and supporters, were also given benefits seen to help them jumpstart their agro-industries.
Members of the Carayungan South Farmers Association led by Eddie Lacasandile and the South Farmers Association led Leticia Aban, also got agricultural equipment (2 units hand tractors, water pumps, 20 backpacks of farm liquid sprayer), 20 trays of assorted vegetables, pasteurized milk, 30 sacks of rice, livelihood provisions which include fertilizers, tilapia fingerlings, hybrid seeds, fruit-bearing trees and personal protective equipment seen to keep them safe from the deadly COVID-19.
Moreover, financial assistance was also handed over to the beneficiaries, on top of the scholarship grants on livelihood programs and Philhealth membership.
During the event, Police Brigadier General Rodolfo S Azurin Jr., PRO1 Regional Director extended his appreciation to the rebel returnees and supporters for re-integrating with the society while encouraging them to help the government transform the region free from insurgency.
“Bilang mga makabayang mamamayang Pilipino, ating pakatandaan na ang pagkakaisa at kapayapaan ng sambayanan ang daan tungo sa maunlad na kinabukasan ng bayan. Naniniwala ako na mananatili ang kapayapaan kung tayo ay magkakaisa at makikipagtulungan sa pamahalaan. Gamitin ninyo ang pagkakataong ito upang magbagong-buhay, magtrabaho ng malinis at sumunod sa batas,” he said.
Present during the activity were Governor Amado Espino III {represented by retired Col. Rhodyn Luchinvar}, Rep. Tyrone Agabas, Lingayen Mayor Leopoldo Bataoil, Umingan Mayor Michael Carleone Cruz, Umingan Vice Mayor Daneking A Noble, San Quintin Mayor Clark Cecil Tiu, Army Capt. Florent Casilla, DOLE regional director Nathaniel Lacambra, Schools Division Superintendent Danilo Sison, TESDA Vocational School Superintendent Rosa Untalan, PhilHealth Social Insurance office chief Eduardo Dullatre, assistant provincial agriculturist Nestor Batalla, provincial agrarian reform officer Maria Anna Francisco, and BOCS district coordinator Pastor Emilio Paneda.
“Oplan Panagsubli” is an initiative of Pangasinan Police Provincial Office through the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) that aims to identify, account and convince all communist terrorists and their supporters to surrender to the government.