NPA rebel surrenders

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 18): NPA rebel surrenders

CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City -- A member of the New People’s Army (NPA) rebel surrendered to the army’s 36th Infantry Battalion, 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division in Dayo-an, Tago, Surigao del Sur on Wednesday afternoon.

Lt. Col. Leo S. Bongosia, spokesperson of the army’s 4th ID, said that Gilbert Daging Meniano alyas Jack, 18, a team leader of squad 1, platoon 2, of Guerrilla Front 30 surrendered to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Norwin D Pasamonte, commanding officer of 36th Infantry Battalion based in Brgy Dayo-an, Tago, Surigao del Sur.

Meniano surrendered one M4A1 Carbine rifle, and one long magazine tacked with 19 live ammunition, Bongosia said.

Bongosia said that hunger, running, and hiding as a fugitive of the law drove Meniano to surrender.

During the initial investigation, Meniano also disclosed that the NPAs told his parents that he was killed in one of the encounters with the military, Bongosia added.

Bongosia said that Meniano could no longer stand the deception and lies that the NPA, the military arm of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), peddles in an effort to gain people’s support.

Meniano’s parents were very happy to see their son alive, and were also thankful to the military and tribal communities in the locality who helped in the safe surrender, Bongosia said.

He said that Meniano was undergoing custodial debriefing as the military was preparing all the documents for the release of financial assistance for Meniano to start a new life.

Bongosia said that Meniano will receive at least P 60,000 under the “Guns for Peace” program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines for the surrendered firearm.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=545580