Failed NPA promises drive rebel couple to surrender
A NEW People’s Army (NPA) couple have voluntarily surrendered the authorities, a ranking official of the military reported.
Official information released by Philippine Army 23rd Infantry Battalion (IB), said the rebeks surrendered to Lt. Col. Julius Cesar C. Paulo, of the Commanding Office of Army’s 23rd IB “Masigasig” (23IB) in Buenavista, Augusan del Norte.
A report identified the surrendererd as alias Dala, 55, years, former CO, SYP GABON, GF 88, and alias Naben, 50, q member of SYP GABON, GF 88. Both are current members of the Sub-Section Guerilla Unit (SSGU) under SRC 3, North Central Mindanao Command (NCMRC) of the NPA.
Dala handed over a Colt M16 rifle, long magazine, and five 5.56 ammunitions.
The ex-rebel couple said that for 30 years in the armed struggle, they experienced hardships in the underground movement, the difficulties of living in the mountains without certainties of life, and the lack of food.
They have lived on the edge for years and they opted to surrender and reunite with their families as they have been on the run from government forces who are out to hunt them down while they have been holed out in their mountain lair.
The NPA couple admitted that they were also threatened by their comrades that the military would kill them once they surrender, which turned out to be false propaganda.
Lt. Col. Paulo heartily welcomed the surrenderers and expressed his admiration for their decision to join the government in taking this fight against the CNTs.
“I am glad that these two CNT members finally took the challenge, bravely left the armed movement, and realized that they were following a futile cause and eventually found hope with the government’s successful interventions. Their lives were being used by the armed group for a useless cause,” Paulo said.
Paulo added that the failed promises of the NPA drove the former rebels “to abandon the armed struggle after seeing the sincere gesture of the government in addressing the issues and delivering public services to the communities, especially the marginalized sector, through the Whole of Nation Approach.”
The surrender of the said couple was realized through the efforts made by the unit together with the Higaonon Tribe of Esperanza, Agusan del Sur led by Datu Saulugan Nilo D Manpatilan, Supreme Datu and SP member and Brgy. Chairman Datu Manlinonhaw Oliver M Tipunan, Brgy. Tagbalili Esperanza, Agusan del Sur.
“I also thank the support of Datu Saulugan and other tribal leaders for leading the IP community towards the right path and towards peace and prosperity contrary to the propaganda of the NPA whose only objective is to prey upon the vulnerabilities of our IP,” Paulo added.
