NPA amazon returns to fold of the law on Christmas day

From the Manila Bulletin (Dec 27): NPA amazon returns to fold of the law on Christmas day

It was perhaps the best Christmas gift that a 27-year-old rebel could give her family. On Christmas day, Rebecca Megew Timban, a former medic in the New People’s Army (NPA), walked out of the underground movement and back to the fold of the law.

“Ivy,” as she is known to friends, voluntarily surrendered to the Army 27th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Tacunel, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, at about 3 p.m.

It was her brother-in-law who convinced the young female rebel to surrender, said a statement from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom).

Eastmincom Commander Lt. Gen. Aurelio Baladad lauded Timban’s surrender and called on other NPA members to follow.

“We welcome the surrender of Rebecca and the effort of his brother in-law in convincing her to live a peaceful life. Her coming down is the best gift for her family,” said Baladad.

“We are calling on the families of our deceived brothers and sisters to convince them to lay down their arms and leave the hard life of a rebel and embrace a peaceful life with their families,” he added.

Timban will go through a psychological debriefing as a part of the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) of the government. She will also receive financial, livelihood assistance and other benefits under the program.

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) marked its 46th founding anniversary yesterday.

‘ABANDON ARMED VIOLENCE’

On the eve of the CPP anniversary, the AFP urged the rebels to abandon armed violence as a way to solve the country’s problems.

“It has been proven that nobody is a real winner in bloody armed conflicts. We are witneses to the endless misery experienced by our own people who are caught in the crossfire,” said the AFP in a statement.

The AFP noted that during the year, many civilians were victims of NPA atrocities carried out around the country. It cited two incidents of violent attacks that claimed the lives of civilians – one in Davao del Sur and another in the Caraga region.

In May, the rebels held hostage civilians in Mabini, Compostela Valley, traumatizing the people who were held at gunpoint for many hours. In Masbate, a grenade attack hurt innocent people in November.

“The senseless attacks perpetrated by the NPA against peaceful communities and infrastructure projects have caused more suffering and denied people development f in the countryside. We must reflect why we have allowed ourselves and our communities to endure 46 years of bloody violence and senseless deaths among fellow Filipinos,” said the AFP.

“We can have the choice between a better life for ourselves and our children by embracing peace or continued violence and poverty through bloody armed conflict.
The door for reconciliation and healing remains open to all our misguided brothers who want to embrace peace,” it added.

http://www.mb.com.ph/npa-amazon-returns-to-fold-of-the-law-on-christmas-day/