After 12 years of hardship, former stude-turned rebel surrenders
FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija — After 12 years of enduring hardship while hiding in the mountains and living life without peace of mind, a 41-year-old member of the New People’s Army (NPA) who was recruited while studying in college in Aurora province surrendered to the government on Wednesday.
Lt. Col. Reandrew P. Rubio, 91st Infantry “Sinagtala” Battalion commander, identified the rebel personality as alias Ka JM, a political guide assigned under the NPA’s Domingo Erlano Command operating in Northern Aurora. He yielded to authorities in Bgy. Diteki, San Luis, Aurora.
Ka JM said he was recruited into the NPA as a member of Kabataang Makabayan (KM) by a certain Ka Marlon while in his 3rd year electrical engineering course at the Aurora State College of Technology. He now realized he just wasted time and lost the opportunity to perhaps become an engineer.
“Napagtanto ko na walang patutunguhan ang aming pinaglalaban at gusto ko nang mamuhay ng simple at payapa,” said Ka JM, who yielded a cal. 22 with six bullets to the authorities.
His surrender was facilitated by joint elements of Charlie Company, 91IB, 7ID, led by 1st Lt. Hamilton D. Dawaton, and the San Luis Municipal Police Station led by Police Capt. Marciano Q. Buencamino Jr.
“Ka JM was just used by the CTGs to recruit innocent civilians and generate funds to support the underground movement. We are appealing to the remaining active CNTs to return to the folds of the law and be reunited with their loved ones,” Rubio said.
He also assured that Ka JM will be given financial support, legal assistance and a livelihood package as part of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program benefits.
Ka JM also revealed the hardships, abuses and corruption he experienced inside the terrorist organization he used to belong to which is now dismantled.
“This is the outcome of the right information provided to the people of Aurora together with hand-in-hand collaboration with civil authorities. This is also a result of the whole-of-nation approach of which we can credit to the Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC),” Rubio added.
Maj. Gen. Alfredo V. Rosario Jr., 7th Infantry “Kaugnay” Division commander, welcomed the surrender of Ka JM, saying the former rebel’s story proves that CTG recruitment in schools is rampant and should be stopped by all means.
“Kaya natin pinapalakas ang ating information drive sa mga paaralan, kanayunan at sa syudad kontra sa mga rebeldeng grupo ay para wala nang estudyanteng malinlang at mabiktima na gaya ni Ka JM,” said Rosario.
