CEBU CITY – Lay down your arms.
Bohol Gov. Aris Aumentado made this call to those who are still with the New People’s Army (NPA) as he condoled with the families of communist guerrillas from Bohol who died in an encounter with the military on Thursday, September 7.
Aumentado visited the wakes of Lucio Isagre, 45, and Jingler Compoc, who were among those killed during the series of encounters in Sitio Ilaud, Barangay Campagao, Bilar, Bohol.
BOHOL Gov. Aris Aumentado views the remains of Lucio Isagre, one of the six communist rebels who were killed in an encounter with the military last Thursday in Bilar town, Bohol. (Contributed photo)
Also killed during the gunfights were Nelson Lumantas, Zosimo Estañola, Ruben Nabas, and Rogelio Jorillo.
Aumentado said Isagre left his family at the age of 22.
“Unta kung naminaw pa sila sa akong panawagan pag surrender, dili unta kini mahitabo. Nibiya siya sa iyang pamilya 22 ka tuig na ang nilabay ug mipauli siya karon nga gisulod na sa lungon (Had they listened to my call for surrender, this should have never happened. He (Isagre) left his family at the age of 22 and by the time he returned home, he is already in a coffin,” said Aumentado.
Aumentado said it has been his desire to talk to those who are with the Left.
The governor said he was willing to listen to the grievances against the government.
“As the father of the province, as your governor, I am ready to listen and I will do my best to find a solution to these problems of rebel activities so that peace will prevail in our province,” Aumentado said.
Aumentado asked those who are still in the mountains to return to the fold of the law, assuring that a bright future still awaits them.
He added that his administration is sincere to work with those who are still with the NPA once they surrender.
“All problems can be solved if we work together. Return to the government and let us allow unity and progress to reign in our province,” Aumentado said.
Aumentado said it is not yet too late to surrender and prevent loss of more lives.
“I do not want another Bol-anon to go through this kind of a situation. No matter how grave your grievances, we can sit down and find a solution to it. We cannot solve a problem by creating another problem,” the governor added.
Aumentado was accompanied by Mita Tecson, the head of the province’s social and welfare development office, during his visit to the wakes of the NPA rebels.
The governor said he instructed Tecson to provide necessary assistance to the families of the slain NPA.