SURRENDER. Alias “Toto”, a member of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), turns over his firearm to PRO-6 Director, Brig. Gen. Rolando Miranda, on Wednesday (April 21, 2021). He said he decided to surrender due to the hardships that he experienced while in the mountains. (PNA photo courtesy of PRO6 RPIO)
ILOILO CITY – An active member of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in Iloilo has given up the armed struggle to lead a normal life.
Alias “Toto”, 23, a resident of Lambunao, Iloilo, was presented to the media at the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) headquarters on Wednesday following his surrender to the Regional Intelligence Division in Calinog town on April 10.
He was an active member of the Squad 2 Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda (SYP), Baloy Platoon, Central Front, of the Komiteng Rehiyon (KR) Panay.
"Toto" said he was recruited sometime in November 2016 by a certain Eldie Labinghisa or Ka “Itik” and had engaged in not less than 10 violent incidents perpetrated by the communist terrorist group (CTG) from 2018 to 2020.
He said he decided to surrender because he realized he had nothing to gain from being with the local terrorist group. While in the mountains, he only experienced hunger, hardships, and lack of sleep, especially during encounters.
The surrenderer turned over his M14 rifle with 82 rounds of ammunition to the Philippine National Police (PNP).
In an interview with the media, "Toto" said he has full trust in the government, and called on the remaining members of the CPP-NPA to also give up their armed struggle.
During his presentation, the former rebel received financial assistance from PRO-6 regional director Brig. Gen. Rolando Miranda.
In a statement, PRO-6 also called on the remaining members of the CPP-NPA in Western Visayas to lay down their arms and surrender to the government instead of sacrificing themselves and being used by the communist group's grand extortion strategy.
The CPP-NPA, which has been waging a five-decade armed struggle against the government, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (PNA)
