DUMAGUETE CITY – Five former New People’s Army (NPA) couples tied the knot during a mass wedding ceremony at the headquarters of the 94th Infantry Battalion (94IB) in Barangay Tambo, Ayungon town in Negros Oriental on Tuesday.
The mass wedding, which was also participated by two other couples who are enlisted personnel of the Philippine Army, was initiated by the 303rd Infantry Brigade led by its commander, Colonel Orlando Edralin.
Capt. Mervin Rosal, Civil-Military Operations officer of the 303rd brigade, told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) that of the seven couples, five are from NPA’s Central Negros 2, Komiteng Rehiyon- Negros Cebu Bohol Siquijor (KR-NCBS).
They came from different parts of Negros Island and had surrendered on separate occasions to the 94th IB.
Some of them have already been enrolled in the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) while others are still being processed, he said.
Pastor Sario Indico officiated the wedding in the presence of Col. Eufracio Joel Malig Jr., deputy brigade commander representing Edralin; Ayungon Mayor Dennis Amancio; and Maj. Fortunate S. Villafuerte, the town’s police chief, stood as principal sponsors.
Local and barangay officials were also present during the ceremony.
Malig lauded the efforts of the local government unit, the stakeholders, and the 94IB troops for upholding the traditions of love, inspiring unity and cooperation through a special wedding ceremony, and for the untiring support displayed by everyone, a media release said. (PNA)
