FROM REBEL TO CIVILIAN PROTECTOR. Army Private Albert diez, a former New People's Army (NPA) political instrutor, receives his certiicate after graduating from the Candidate Soldier Course on April 26 in Compostela Valley. (Photo courtesy of the 10th Infantry Division)
DAVAO CITY – A former political instructor of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) topped the Candidate Soldier Course Class 569, besting the 131 candidate soldiers trained by the Philippine Army’s 10th Infantry Division based in Tuburan, Mawab, Compostela Valley.
Private Albert Diez--known as "Ka Dindo" when he was still a combatant of the NPA's Guerilla Front 33--graduated first in his class after four months of going through the rigors of the basic military training, which concluded on April 26.
Capt. Jerry Lamosao, 10ID spokesperson, said Diez--a member of the Manobo tribe from Montevista, Compostela Valley province--joined the NPA in 2012 when he was 17.
Lamosao recalled that Diez started as a medic of GF 33, and later promoted to political guide and finally became a political instructor after undergoing various courses while with the rebel movement.
In February last year, Diez surrendered to Lt. Colonel Oscar Balignasay Jr, commander of the Army's 25th Infantry Battalion in Monkayo town, Compostela Valley.
Following his surrender, Lamosao said Diez was enrolled in the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) and later signified his intention to become a soldier.
Lamosao said Diez is now a full-fledged soldier "and a comrade, who will serve the people in a more rewarding act of fighting for freedom and democracy".
During the graduation ceremony, Lamosao said Diez was grateful "and honored for the opportunity given to him and the chance to make up for the wrong decision he made in the past".
"Diez vowed to give his whole-hearted service to the country," the military official added.
For his part, Balignasay vowed the military "will not stop helping former rebels who show the sincerity of repentance. We all deserve a second chance, a chance to put things right”.
He said Private Diez is "one proof of the government’s sincerity in helping the rebels who want to return to the folds of the law".
The NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (PNA)
