Heroes Hall, Malacañan Palace
February 7, 2018

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte hosted a merienda for more than 200 former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in a gathering at the Heroes Hall of Malacañan Palace.

The former rebels came from different parts of Eastern Mindanao and is the first batch out of 683 former NPA rebels to embark on an educational tour in Manila facilitated by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). They were flown from Davao City to Manila via two (2) Philippine Air Force (PAF) C-130 aircrafts.

The goal of the educational tour is to awaken the former rebels to a better perspective in life, particularly in peace building and nationalism. The tour included visits to Luneta Park, Intramuros, and Malacañan Palace as part of their historical and heritage trip.

They were also given a welcome ceremony by AFP Chief of Staff General Rey Leonardo Guerrero at the AFP Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo and had an interaction with other former NPA members who are presently working for peace and development.

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