John, a sick member of the New People Army, was rescued Monday (July 29, 2019) by patrolling troops in Barangay Pisompongan, Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur. He was taken to a hospital in Pagadian City and was found positive for dengue. (Photo by Leah D. Agonoy)
PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur -- Government troops have rescued a sick member of the New People’s Army (NPA) who was abandoned by his comrades in the hinterlands of the nearby town of Midsalip, this province, a military official said on Saturday.
Lt. Col. Marlowe Patria, Army’s 53rd Infantry Battalion commander, identified the rescued NPA rebel as a certain John, a teenage member of the Main Regional Guerrilla Unit (MRGU) of the Communist Party of the Philippines.
Patria said his troops from the Alpha Company were on foot patrol Monday when they found John with high fever inside a nipa hut in Barangay Pisompongan, Midsalip.
He said troops recovered from the possession of John a pistol with ammunition.
“Gibiyaan ko nila, wala ko nila gitabangan kay nagkasakit na ko (“They abandoned me, they did not help me although I was sick),” John said.
Patria said John, who was taken by the troops to a hospital in this city, was later found positive for dengue.
“Our soldiers were well-briefed on how to treat the members of the NPA lalo't higit doon sa wala ng kalaban-laban, either may tama [ng bala] o may sakit (especially those helpless who are either wounded or sick),” said.
John said he was thankful the troops rushed him to the hospital.
Patria said John will be assessed and processed if he could avail of the government assistance under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
John vowed not to return to the NPA organization realizing he will not have a good future in joining the rebel group.
John, whose parents are farmers, is the youngest of the seven children in the family. (PNA)
