SURRENDERED. Three rebel surrenderers pledge their loyalty to the government before Lt. Col. Reandrew Rubio, acting commander of the Army's 91st Infantry Battalion, in Maria Aurora town on Sunday (March 29, 2020). The rebels had turned in themselves to the military troops in Barangay Dianawan, Maria Aurora. (Photo courtesy of the Army's 91st Infantry Battalion)
BALER, Aurora — Three communist terrorist group members surrendered to military troops and pledged loyalty to the government on Sunday.
Lt. Col. Reandrew Rubio, acting commander of the Army’s 91st Infantry “Sinagtala” Battalion, said the three surrendered to the military troops in Barangay Dianawan, Maria Aurora town.
Rubio identified the surrenderers as Lester Gutierrez and Roberto Valdez, both former members of Kilusang Larangang Guerilla Sierra Madre; and Patricia Bihasa, a former member of Panlalawigang Alyansang Magbubukid ng Aurora (Pamana).
“The surrender of the three former rebels is through the relentless joint efforts from different government units and local agencies to put an end to local communist armed conflict," he said.
He thanked the local officials of Barangay Dianawan for the support and cooperation with the troops by providing accurate information that led to the surrender of the three rebels.
“The pandemic crisis that we are all experiencing may be one of the reasons why these former rebels decided to surrender. Lack of food and weakened support from the masses played a crucial role,” Rubio said.
The surrendered rebels were brought to the headquarters of the 91st Infantry Battalion for proper documentation.
Brig. Gen. Alfredo Rosario Jr., newly installed commander of the 7th Infantry “Kaugnay” Division, encouraged the rebels to return to the fold of the law.
“The Kaugnay troopers extend their doors to the rest of the remaining mass base of CPP-NPA-NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front) remnants in their quest to start their lives right,” he said.
Col. Andrew Costelo, 703rd Brigade commander, meanwhile, said the government through Executive Order No. 70 provides health, education, livelihood, and other forms of assistance to the rebel returnees.
“Now that they have finally found the right track to life, they can expect the full support of the military troopers in their quest for justice, peace, and progress under the provisions of the whole of the nation approach where no one shall be left behind,” Costelo said. (PNA)
