While speaking at the La Castellana centennial celebrations, which began on December 14 and closed yesterday, January 5, Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. called on rebels to surrender, promising livelihood assistance in exchange.

“I would like to appeal to those who are still there, [in] the mountains, to return to the [fold] of government,” he said. “We are ready to give assistance.”

Among the support the governor offered includes livelihood assistance and scholarship to the children of those who choose to surrender.

Last month, the governor backed the declaration by President Rodrigo Duterte to classify the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) as a terror organization.

“It has long been overdue,” he said./PLL, WDJ