From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 4, 2019): Female NPA rebel quits communist movement
SABLAYAN, Occidental Mindoro -- An active female fighter of the New People’s Army (NPA) Platoon Glenn Marie Tamboong (GMT) surrendered her M16 rifle on Monday to the Army's 2nd Infantry “Jungle Fighter” Division in Barangay Batongbuhay in this town.
Lt. Col. Mario Lito Retirva, Commanding Officer of the 2ID’s 76 Infantry Battalion (76IB), said on Wednesday “the female fighter, who is known as alias “Laura” in the underground movement, operates in the northern areas of Mindoro Island as a "lead extortionist.”
Retirva said Laura revealed to authorities that “the NPAs are making false promises to cover up the rampant corruption within the organization" which is among the major reasons why she quit the futile armed struggle.
He also said Laura told them that the NPAs are actively recruiting and encouraging the youth to abandon their studies and their families and join the rebel group’s armed movement against the government.
“The statement of alias Laura supported the security sector’s claims during the recent series of public hearings at the Senate,” Retirva said.
With the new development, Col. Antonio R. Lastimado, Commander of the 203rd Infantry Brigade, which has operational jurisdiction over Mindoro, encouraged the few remaining NPA rebels in Mimaropa Region (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) to surrender.
"Lay down your arms, return to mainstream society and enjoy the benefits and grants provided under the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program," Lastimado urged the NPA terrorist rebels.
"This (Laura’s) surrender is a clear indicator that the NPA terrorists’ senseless armed struggle is close to its end as shown by the influx of surrenders across the different provinces in the country,” he added.
He disclosed that in Oriental and Occidental Mindoro provinces, a total of 196 former rebels have already surrendered to the government forces since January this year.
In a statement from the 2ID Army’s Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal, Brig. Gen. Arnulfo Marcelo B. Burgos Jr., Commander of the 2ID, lauded the troops and noted their commitment to their sworn duty.
“The soldiers’ relentless pursuit for peace, progress, and prosperity in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) and Mimaropa to end the communists’ acts of terror shall never waver while our flag is flying proud and high over Philippine territory,” Burgos said.
“Today, more than ever, we are in a position to end the local communist armed conflict. We are confident that through President Duterte’s Executive Order Number 70, we will be able to create a better future for the next generations of Filipinos," he said.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1079582
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