IMPASUGONG, Bukidnon — The 8th Infantry “Dependable” Battalion (8IB), Philippine Army, welcomed the recent surrender of a New People’s Army (NPA) couple in Bukidnon.
Known to his comrades as Alay/Cans/Batcom, 28 years old, and his 26-year-old wife alias Peme were at ease coming to the 8IB Army Camp in Impasugong town with their two kids.
In a custodial talk, ‘Alay’ said they are operating in the hinterlands of Cabanglasan, Bukidnon under Section Committee 89 (SECOM89) of North Central Mindanao Regional Command (NCMRC) as a combatant; while his wife is serving as a medic in CPP-NPA’s medical corps.
‘’We are tired of running away from government forces and could no longer endure the shivering-cold and starvation in the mountains with our 6-year old daughter and 4-month old son. Hence, we decided to give up. We are now bringing these firearms, the instruments of violence. The NPAs used these in murdering innocent Lumads,” Alay said.
Alay’s wife Peme also recounted the hardships within the NPA organization like repeated quarrels and disagreements among higher CPP-NPA ranks, which harshly affect the members.
The couple yielded four rifles—one M16 and one long magazine—with rounds of ammunition.
Lt. Col. Ronald Illana, 8IB commanding officer, said the couple is just victims of deception.
’’We do understand that these people are just victims of NPA’s agitation and false promises. With that in mind, we encourage them to surrender and see the efforts of the government to attain peace as it unfolds before them,” he said.
Newly installed 403rd Brigade Commander Col. Edgardo De Leon, who co-chairs the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) committee, meanwhile, assured that the 403Bde would help ex-rebels’ E-CLIP enrolment for reintegration in mainstream society.
“Alay and Peme, you’ve made the right decision. This will assure better future of your children. Now that you rejected violence and embraced peace, the government will assist you. With this, I also urge those NPA terrorists who are thinking of coming back to the folds of law to never hesitate of surrendering because I assure you that 403Bde in Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental will help you avail of the government’s E-CLIP,” De Leon Said.
Likewise, 4th Infantry Division Commander Major General Ronald Villanueva said the NPA terrorists are now heeding the government’s call to surrender.
“They have seen the NPA’s rotten system. Good thing this couple decided to reject the NPA’s failed ideology. With this decision, they will be able to relive the joy of family closeness this Christmas season; the start of a life away from chaos, hunger, and fear of losing lives in an encounter with the government troops who continuously conduct security operations,” Maj. Gen. Villanueva said. (1Lt. Lorjohn D. Hernandez, CMO, 8IB, 4ID, PA/PIA Bukidnon)
https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1015514
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