HIGH-POWERED FIREARMS. “Ka Diwa” (center), a platoon leader of the New People's Army group in Kalinga province surrenders to the government through Police Cordillera director Brig. Gen. Israel Ephraim Dickson (left) on October 16, bringing with him several high-powered firearms. Also in the photo is Col. Rene Pasiwen of the regional intelligence branch. (Photo courtesy of PROCOR PIO)
BAGUIO CITY-- An officer of the New People's Army (NPA) operating in Kalinga province laid down his arms in exchange for a more peaceful life, even behind bars, if only to end the fighting and the endless death of innocent people.
“This only shows that ‘Ka Diwa’ is a gentleman who was lured into joining the NPA due to curiosity but now preferred to reveal the evils being done by the communist terrorists even if it meant facing the charges against him. He chose to surrender if only to somehow save minors from being enticed to join the CTG [communist terrorist group]," said Brig. Gen. Israel Ephraim Dickson, Police Regional Office Cordillera (PROCOR) director in a statement sent to the media on Monday night.
“Ka Diwa”, platoon leader of the Lejo Cawilan Command, “Komiteng Larangan Gerilya Baggas” of the NPA surrendered to the Kalinga police led by Col. Job Russel Balaquit in the afternoon of October 16 at Camp Duyan in Tabuk City, Kalinga. He was brought to the PROCOR on Monday.
Dickson said he appreciates the courage of Ka Diwa to surrender despite the dangers that he could face for leaving the group.
Dickson gave financial assistance to Ka Diwa to cover his expenses while waiting for eligibility to avail of the benefits under the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
The program provides surrendering communist rebels a holistic package benefits that they can avail of such as livelihood, medical assistance, education, housing and legal service as the government’s show its sincerity to end the hostilities by encouraging NPA members to re-embrace the law and the government.
Police Maj. Carolina Lacuata, PROCOR information officer, said “Ka Diwa” also surrendered a 7.62mm M60 machine gun without ammunition; two 60-mm mortars with three mortar ammunition; a homemade shotgun with three 12- gauge ammunition to show his intent to lead a new life, which will have a corresponding “amount”.
Lacuata said “Ka Diwa” surrendered to the police despite knowing that there are criminal cases filed against him, noting that the former NPA officer would rather face the charges than continue living in hiding and see young people die in non-sense battle.
Ka Diwa has warrants of arrest for attempted murder with a recommended bail of PHP200,000 and another case for four counts of attempted murder with a recommended bail of PHP120,000 for each count.
Disgruntled with the NPA system
“Ka Diwa” began to be demoralized due to their leaders’ inability to remain true to the principles that the organization purportedly is fighting for, aside from doubts after witnessing the breakdown of the discipline of the people in the organization.
Witnessing the recruitment of youth people made him realize that the next generation is sacrificed for a lost cause, making him decide to surrender.
His surrender of the high-powered firearms was a result of his thoughts to end the needless deaths caused by the armed struggle.
Lacuata said “Ka Diwa” remains in the custody of the Kalinga Police Office while awaiting promulgation of the criminal cases filed against him, which will also determine his eligibility to avail of the E-CLIP’s benefits. (PNA)
