A husband and wife who are allegedly long-time members of the New People's Army brought along their two children when they surrendered to the 8th Infantry Battalion in Impasugong, Bukidnon on Nov. 18.
1Lt. Lorjohn Hernandez, the civil-military operations officer of 8th IB, said the former rebels were identified as alias Alay/Cans/Batcom, 28, a member of Section Committee 89 of the North Central Regional Mindanao Command (NCMRC), and his wife alias Peme, 26, a medic of the same command.
Hernandez said the couple used to be operating in the hinterlands of Cabanglasan, Bukidnon. They brought with them 3 M16 rifles and one long magazine with live bullets.
Hernandez quoted Alay as saying that they are already tired of running away and being cold and hungry always, especially since they have a six-year-old daughter and a four-month-old son to care for.
"We decided to return into the government bringing along three firearms which I consider as the instruments of violence used by the NPA in murdering innocent Lumads," he allegedly told the soldiers.
Lt. Col.Ronald Illana, the commanding officer of the 8IB, said, "We do understand that these people are just victims of deception, agitation and false promises inculcated by the NPA terrorists."
"With that in mind, we encourage them to surrender and see the efforts of the government to attain peace as it unfolds before them," Illana said.
Col. Edgardo del Leon, 403rd Infantry Brigade (403Bde) commander and co-chair of the Bukidnon Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-Clip) committee, assures that the units will assist the surrenderees to be reintegrated back to society the soonest possible time.
“Alay and Peme, you made the right decision. Your children are now assured of a better future now that you have rejected violence and embraced peace," De Leon said.
Maj. Gen. Ronald Villanueva, the commander of 4th Infantry Division, said a common thread they hear from former rebels is how rotten the system was as the leaders are taking advantage of the members.
"With their decision, they will be able to experience the joy of togetherness this Christmas season, the start of a life away from chaos, hunger, and fear of losing their lives in an encounter with the government troops who are continuously conducting security operations," Villanueva said.
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