SURRENDER. Former rebel Albert Yanong Alon, alias “Butsoy” (center), with Lt. Col. Erwin Cariño (right), commander of the 15th Infantry Battalion, and 2nd Lt. Weann Sandag, civil-military operations officer. Alon surrendered to troops in Cauayan, Negros Occidental on May 22, 2020, after 11 years as a combatant of the New People’s Army. (Photo courtesy of the 15th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army)
BACOLOD CITY – A 27-year-old man, a New People’s Army (NPA) combatant for 11 years, has voluntarily surrendered to Philippine Army troops in Cauayan, Negros Occidental, the 15th Infantry Battalion (15IB) reported on Friday.
The former rebel, identified as Albert Yanong Alon, alias “Butsoy”, was a platoon leader of the North Negros Front (NNF) and a squad leader of SYP/SDG Platoon of the southwest Front (SWF), operating in the area of Barangay Sangke in his hometown of Hinoba-an.
He yielded on May 22 as a result of the 15IB’s Community Support Program campaign and triad operations to further pressure the communist-terrorists and their supporters in Negros Occidental to end the armed struggle.
Lt. Col. Erwin Cariño, commanding officer of 15IB, welcomed Alon’s decision to choose the right path towards peace by returning to the fold of the law.
“After many years, he has realized that the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) only used him for their vested interests. He has no respectable future if he continues to stay, and like the previous surrenderers, it is not too late for him to live peacefully with his family,” Cariño said.
According to the 15IB, Alon was recruited by the CPP-NPA in 2009 when he was only 16.
He joined the armed group, believing that being part of the organization would resolve his social concerns, particularly land issues.
Alon’s experience as a seasoned combatant made him a platoon leader of an independent unit operating in northern and southern Negros in 2012.
“During my years in the struggle trying to destroy the government, I have not seen freedom, equality, and peace. When our comrades die, their families do not receive any assistance and benefits from the organization,” he said.
Alon added that with the assistance of the 15IB, he could start over with his family without fear.
He urged his former comrades still fighting in the mountains to give up the armed struggle.
Meanwhile, Hinoba-an Mayor Ernesto Estrao thanked the former rebel for deciding to surrender.
"I call on the other members of CPP-NPA to lay down your arms and live a peaceful life with your respective families. Your local government unit, together with the 15IB, are willing to help those who will give up their armed activities,” he added. (PNA)
