Rebel-surrenderee to join army

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jun 25): Rebel-surrenderee to join army

Following the request of a rebel-surrenderee to enter the Philippine Army, 1003rd Infantry Brigade Commander Col. Harold Cabreros said in a recent interview that they are actually working for his special enlistment in the military force.

Adrian (not his real name) one of the rebel-surrenderees who pledged back their allegiance to the country during the Serbisyo Caravan of the Association of Regional Executives of the National Agencies (ARENA) expressed his desire to be a member of the military.

Adrian was a platoon leader in the New People’s Army Guerrilla Front 33, who surrendered to the 60th Infantry Battalion last June 6 in New Corella.

“Pwede naman silang (rebel-surrenderees) maging member ng army (They can be a member of the army),” Col. Cabreros said.

Cabreros stressed that it is not the intention of the government to ruin the lives of the rebels instead help them start new lives from being a part of the revolutionary armed groups.

He illustrated an example of a certain wounded woman-rebel, who was captured by the army during an encounter.

“We called her amazona and the army treated her and even sent her to school. Now, she’s a member of the military and already a Corporal,” he said.

Cabreros said that Adrian will still have to go through a process and certain qualifications before its enlistment in the army.

“But it is possible for him to be enlisted since maganda naman yong ginawa niya, especially in surrendering an M16.”

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2871435209194/rebel-surrenderee-to-join-army