DAVAO CITY — Former comrades and lovers Reky Mahinay and Necalyn Catapte who recently surrendered to the 36th Infantry “Valor” Battalion exchanged “I Don’s” inside the camp on April 20 at the headquarters 36IB, Brgy Puyat, Carmen, Surigao del Sur.
The wedding was attended by the 901st Brigade Commander, Brig. Gen. George L. Banzon who also stood as witness, the ceremony was solemnized by Reverend Monsignor Isidro H. Irizari.
The couple was former members of Guerilla Front 30 (WGF30) of the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC). The said front, the military claimed, was dismantled on January 5, 2023 which also led to the series of voluntary surrenders of high-ranking leaders of the Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs)
The wedding of the former NPA rebels couple was made possible by the convergence efforts of the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) spearheaded by the Provincial Governor of Surigao del Sur Hon Alexander T. Pimentel.
The activity was sponsored by the local government units, agencies, and private sectors of Surigao del Sur, while the food and drinks for the reception were served by the personnel of the 36IB.
In his message, Mahinay in vernacular thanked the military for keeping them alive and for helping them live a life in a normal community as they are building their family.
In his message Banzon reiterated the convergence efforts of the NTF-ELCAC and other key stakeholders. “This activity serves as best illustration to entice more surrenderers. We welcome and encourage all the remaining rebels to abandon the armed struggle and accept the governments offers through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP). Our government instrumentalities will provide the necessary assistance to those who want to return to the folds of the law”.
