Gov. Conrado Nicart of
Eastern Samar presents the two surrenderees identified as Marvin Deo
Capones alias Saga/Red, Vice Commander, Provincial Operational
Command, Eastern Samar Provincial Party Committee (ESPPC) of the
Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC) and his party wife,
Gelita Capones alias Daisy/Onan, Medical Officer of the ESPPC, EVRPC
to Major General Mario F. Chan, Commander, 8ID, PA.
The surrenderees were
also presented to the media during the short press conference held at
the conference room of the Eastern Samar Provincial Capitol. Marvin,
a native of McArthur, Eastern Samar and his wife Gelita, who is from
Oras of the same province decided to abandon their armed struggle for
the sake of their eight month old child. “Being in the revolutionary
movement, life is a very difficult and the future of our family
especially our child is uncertain, hence we decided to come out in
order to once again live a normal life”, the couple said.
Their surrender was
initiated by Governor Condrado Nicart of
Eastern Samar in support to the government’s IPSP-Bayanihan. Also
present during the press briefing were Colonel Virgilio M Espineli,
Assistant Division Commander of 8ID, Colonel Romeo Labador, Commander
of 801st Brigade, Lieutenant Colonel Hermilo Demafiles, CO, 14IB and
PSupt. Cubillo, the Provincial Director of Eastern Samar, PNP.
The surrender of the
two top NPA leaders in Eastern Samar is a big blow to the
revolutionary movement. It has showed that even the top ranking
leaders had realized the futility of their continued struggle. The
current efforts of 8ID in the conduct of sustained combat operations
in its entire area of responsibility have kept the communist
terrorists on the run, thereby preventing them to launch major
tactical offensives. With the full support of the PNP, the local
leaders and other stakeholders, has also reduced the capability of the
NPAs to recover their mass base support that would sustain their armed
components.
Major General Chan
expressed his deep appreciation and gratitude to the honorable
governor in his efforts in working out for the return of the couple to
the folds of the law. According to him, he is very much happy with the
progress in the implementation of the current governments Internal
Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) “Bayanihan” where the local leaders
showed their commitment and support for the efforts in winning the
peace.
General Chan also
reiterated his call for the NPA to abandon their armed struggle.
“Peace could be attained if our brothers (NPAs) would just heed to our
call of giving up their revolutionary struggle. There is no happiness
and satisfaction derived from killing NPA rebels, only desperation.
The real sense of fulfillment comes in embracing former rebels back to
the folds of law and help him become productive citizens of the
country.
The two former
rebels are now in the custody of Governor Nicart who has pledged his
full support to the rebel returnees by providing them financial and
livelihood means as they start their new life as responsible citizens
of the community.
