SURRENDER. Jonel "Roy" Moreno surrenders to the 62nd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army led by commanding officer Lt. Col. Melvin Flores (left) in Isabela, Negros Occidental on Thursday (April 16, 2020). Moreno said he decided to surrender after suffering hunger and hardships due to the unfulfilled promises of leaders. (Photo courtesy of 62nd Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army)
BACOLOD CITY – A local guerrilla unit leader of the New People’s Army in central Negros surrendered to the Philippine Army on Thursday.
A report of the 303rd Infantry Brigade identified the rebel as Jonel "Roy" Moreno, 33, a resident of Barangay Buenavista, Himamaylan City.
He is now in the custody of the 62nd Infantry Battalion (62IB) led by commanding officer Lt. Col. Melvin Flores based in Barangay Libas, Isabela town.
"The surrender of Jonel Moreno adds to the increasing number of NPA and Militia ng Bayan members who have finally woken up from the deception of the communist-terrorist group, and have decided to leave for good and avail the amnesty program of the government," Flores said.
Moreno, a full-time party member of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), decided to surrender through the 62IB and the 94th Infantry Battalion after suffering hunger and hardships due to the unfulfilled promises of the NPA leaders.
According to the report, Moreno also revealed the NPA's continuing exploitation of the masses in outlying communities in central Negros and the involvement of a village official in the transport of rebel logistics and ranking NPA leaders.
Moreno turned over to Flores an M16 rifle with magazine, a .45-caliber pistol with two magazines, assorted ammunition, a unit of ICOM hand-held radio.
Moreno is undergoing a custodial and stress debriefing process in preparation for his inclusion in the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program or E-CLIP.
Under the program, he is expected to receive immediate welfare assistance, livelihood assistance, and incentives for surrendered firearms.
Col. Inocencio Pasaporte, commander of 303rd Infantry Brigade, called on the communist rebels anew to abandon the armed struggle and avail of the government program for former rebels.
The NPA, which has been waging a five-decade armed struggle against the government, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (PNA)
