Former rebels form regional federation

TUGEGARAO CITY— The Armed Forces of the Philippines formed the Regional Federation of People’s Organizations of Ex-Rebels in the Cagayan Valley.

Brig. Gen. Gulliver Señires of the Army’s 5th Infantry Division said the regional federation was intended to “strengthen the capabilities of former rebel organizations that have returned and surrendered to the government.”

Señires said the federation will help members formulate policies and regulations for programs designed for them.

The federation includes people’s organizations from the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino and Nueva Vizcaya, which make up the Cagayan Valley region.

Mauricio Aguinaldo, former captain of barangay Balanni, Santo Niño in Cagayan province, and president of the Cagayan Alliance for Peace and Development (CAPD), has been appointed executive director of the federation.

“This day is a very important meeting because the formation of the regional federation of former rebel people’s organizations is very timely and significant because we now see our victory over the communist-terrorist groups,” Aguinaldo said.

“The only thing that is necessary is to support people’s organizations within the regional federation,” he said.

The CAPD was formed with the help of the Cagayan Provincial Government under the leadership of Governor Manuel Mamba with the aim of helping a group of Cagayan former rebels who support the return of the rebels to society and live a peaceful life.

The federation also has a board of directors consisting of three representatives of former rebel organizations from other provinces.