Former NPA rebel surrenders

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 2): Former NPA rebel surrenders

A former member of the New People’s Army (NPA) from Bingawan, Iloilo surrendered to the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) last week.

This was confirmed by IPPO director Senior Supt. Marlon Tayaba during an interview Monday.

Jerry Glorian, 27, of Brgy. Roosevelt, Tapaz, Capiz, also gave up his caliber .45 pistol with magazine and live ammunition. He currently lives in Bingawan with his common-law wife.

Tayaba said they are now processing the financial assistance for Glorian through the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Glorian joined the NPA when was only 17 years old and they usually stayed in some parts of Calinog, Iloilo and Tapaz, Capiz.

Tayaba said that Glorian may have surrendered due to their difficult life in the mountains.

“He is sending a message to others to join him in going back to the fold of the government. I am hoping that more members of the armed group will be encouraged to surrender. Our goal is to bring peace so why not join us and hand and hand, let us solve this problem,” he added.

While IPPO is still receiving reports that there have been ongoing recruitments of NPA in the province, especially among minors, Tayaba assured that they are strengthening the operations to help the Philippine Army in its anti-insurgency drive.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1040143