SURRENDER. Lt. Col. Melvin Flores (left), commanding officer of the 62nd Infantry Battalion, receives the M-16 rifle turned over by New People’s Army fighter Jun "Mel” Vergara during the latter’s surrender at the battalion headquarters in Barangay Libas, Isabela, Negros Occidental on Tuesday (Oct. 27, 2020). Vergara was a member of Squad 2, Sangay ng Yunit Pampropaganda Platoon under the Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros/Cebu/Bohol/Siquijor. (Photo courtesy of 62nd Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army)
BACOLOD CITY – Philippine Army officials have lauded the series of surrenders of combatants of the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in Negros Island.
Maj. Gen. Eric Vinoya, commander of the Philippine Army's 3rd Infantry Division, said in a statement on Thursday that he was glad that those who returned to the fold of the law have realized the false and deceptive ideology of the communist-terrorist group.
“I know that you can see and feel the looming downfall of your senseless armed struggle. Hence, we, the legitimate armed forces of the people, are very much willing to accept you with open arms as you willingly embrace peace,” Vinoya said.
In the past two weeks, five former NPA fighters have surrendered to the 62nd Infantry Battalion (62IB) based in Barangay Libas, Isabela, Negros Occidental.
On October 27, Jun “Mel” Vergara, a member of Squad 2, Sangay ng Yunit Pampropaganda (SYP) Platoon under the Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros/Cebu/Bohol/Siquijor (KR-NCBS), turned himself in to government forces, bringing along an M-16 rifle and magazine loaded with 29 rounds of 5.56mm live ammunition.
Vergara’s surrender was coordinated by the Guihulngan City Police and City Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict headed by Mayor Joan Jeorge Reyes.
Four members of the KR-NCBS, identified as Jone “Dim/Dem” Alfuerto; Deito “Mar” Ferolino; Snooky “Noky” Mejio; and Rodrigo Fat, also surrendered to the 62IB troops on October 16.
Vinoya said the series of surrenders strongly indicates not only weary and hopeless fighters but also a terrorist organization that is falling apart.
Lt. Col. Melvin Flores, commanding officer of 62IB, said he salutes “Ka Mel” for his bravery and courage in choosing his family instead of the NPA.
“I hope this would be the last time that you wear that (Leonardia Panaligan Command - NPA) uniform to symbolize that you have totally abandoned the armed struggle. You have made the best decision of becoming a productive and law-abiding citizen,” Flores told the surrenderer.
Both Army officials reiterated their call to the remaining members of the communist-terrorists still hiding in the mountains to lay down their arms and avail of the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-Clip).
The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (PNA)
