ZAMBOANGA CITY – Eight former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels officially tied the knot and exchanged their vows in a civil wedding ceremony in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, a military official said.
Lt. Col. Manaros Boransing II, 97th Infantry Battalion (IB) commander, said the eight former NPA rebels, who surrendered to his command, have exchanged marital vows Thursday at the Municipal Hall of Leon Postigo, Zamboanga del Norte.
Boransing said the union of the couples was sponsored by the municipal government of Leon Postigo led by Mayor Aidaroz Hambali, who also solemnized their marriage while the wedding reception was sponsored by Mayor Rosendo Labadlabad of Sindangan town and the gifts were provided by Zamboanga del Norte Gov. Roberto Uy.
Boransing said the newly-wed couples were former members of the dismantled NPA cells of “HQ-KALAW” Regional Operations Command and Main Regional Guerrilla Unit (MRGU), both of the NPA’s Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee (WMRPC).
The 97IB dismantled the HQ KALAW, the Regional Operations Command Unit of the WMRPC, in August 2020.
Boransing thanked the sponsors and stakeholders of the 97IB for their generosity that made the event possible.
“We are very thankful to our various stakeholders for their sincerity in helping our FRs (former rebels) not only by providing benefits and assistance from our government like the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) but for showing them that they are now part and well accepted by the society,” Boransing said.
The family and relatives of the former NPA rebels as well as military and civilian stakeholders have witnessed the wedding ceremony. – Nikolai Gonzalo
