BALER, Aurora -- Two members of the New People’s Army (NPA) who claimed they can no longer bear the kind of life in the mountains have surrendered to the 91st Infantry Battalion (91IB) of the Philippine Army on Friday.
Lt. Col. Jose Mari F. Torrenueva II, 91IB commander, said on Saturday that the two communist rebels turned themselves in to the battalion in Sitio Dupinga, Barangay Malinao, Gabaldon in Nueva Ecija.
He said the two surrendered rebels, who requested to be identified only as "Ka Kevin" and "Ka Sam", were members of the Platoon Uno of Kilusang Larangang Guerrilla Sierra Madre operating in the provinces of Aurora and Nueva Ecija.
“The safe negotiation was through the efforts of the 91IB, 69IB, and 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company (1st PMFC) of Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office. Ka Kevin and Ka Sam, who were recruited by the Communist New People's Army Terrorists (CNTs) last April this year, expressed their gratitude to the government for giving them the chance to live normal lives and to become productive citizens of the community,” Torrenueva said.
Based on the former rebels’ revelations, he said they were lured to join by the NPA using black propaganda against the government.
“They (surrendered rebels) said that they will never go back again to the terrorist movement as they are only telling lies and sowing terror to the communities,” he said.
He assured the former rebels’ protection and assistance as they begin to immerse in the civilian way of life.
Following the surrender, the two rebels received cash assistance and goods coming from Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS) in Central Luzon.
Torrenueva encouraged the former rebels to avail of other benefits being offered by the government through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
He also advised them to spend the financial assistance they received in something that can alleviate their lives from poverty. (PNA)
