NPA member surrenders to 26th IB

From the Philippine  Information Agency (Feb 17): NPA member surrenders to 26th IB

A member of the New People’s Army (NPA) whose name was withheld for security reason voluntarily surrendered to the 26th Infantry Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, based in Barangay San Nicolas, Talacogon, Agusan del Sur on February 11.

Report from the army said the surrenderee was a team leader of the NPA’s Guerilla Front 34 under Maximo Catarata a.k.a. Ka Boyet Tindugan of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee.

The army added that subject was convinced to return to the folds of the law to cooperate with the government after series of symposia and information drives conducted by the AFP, the local government units (LGUs), local government agencies (LGAs and rebel returnees in the areas in Agusan del Sur. He (the surrendered rebel) brought along with him his M16 rifle with one magazine and ten live ammunition, according to the negotiating teams of the 26th IB.

“Nagpasalamat ako sa tanan nga nagpaluyo niining programa sa gobyerno kay nahatagan ako og husto nga tubag sa tanan nga issues batok sa atong gobyerno. Mitahan ako tungod kay dili na gayod kaya sa akong konsensya nga makita ang atong mga igsoon diha sa akong lugar nga nagkalisod tungod sa among sige pangayo og kwarta og pagkaon nga sa among hunahuna, maoy ilang tabang sa kalihokan. Sa kasamtangan, daghan pa gayod sa akong mga kaubanan nga NPA ang gusto nga motahan sa ilang kaugalingon kay wala nay klaro ang among armadong pakigbisog. (I am thankful to all those who are behind this program of government because I was given the right and correct answer to all the issues against the government. I surrendered because I can no longer resist the torture that my conscience is telling me, seeing the people in my area suffering from hardship in life because of our extortion activities, while we believe it was one way they could help our wrong arm struggle. At present, there are many of our former comrades who wish to surrender because they are already confused what are the purpose of our armed struggle),” the surrendered rebel said.

Lt. Col. Jose Leonard Gille, Commanding Officer of the 26th IB meanwhile thanked the concerted efforts of the troops, the LGUs, the LGAs and the rebel returnees who heartily exert their efforts in encouraging the NPAs to lay down their firearms and cooperate with the government make the country peaceful. He assured the surrendered rebel of the bes treatment from the government.

Col. Cresente Maligmat, Officer-in-Charge of the 402nd Infantry Brigade also said they will double their efforts in helping our misguided fellow Filipinos in their area of responsibility to lay down their arms. “This is also what we wanted to happen so that there will be no fighting, no bloodsheds and no lives will be wasted,” added Col. Maligmat. (1LT Joe Patrick Martinez & 1LT Krisnen Peter Sarsagat, 402nd Inf. Brigade/David Suyao/PIA-Agusan del Sur)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1731360912216