SURRENDERER. A 22-year-old supply officer of the Platun Uno under the Kilusang Larangang Guerilla (KLG) of the New People’s Army (NPA) voluntarily surrendered to the Army last week. He was presented to Aurora Governor Gerardo Noveras by Col. Andrew D. Castello, commander of the 703rd Infantry Brigade and Col. Raul Siriban, provincial director of the Aurora Police Provincial Office at the Aurora provincial capitol on Monday (Nov. 18, 2019). (Photo by Jason de Asis)
BALER, Aurora -- A 22-year-old supply officer of the Platun Uno under the Kilusang Larangang Guerilla (KLG) -Sierra Madre of the New People’s Army (NPA) has voluntarily surrendered to the Army’s 91st Infantry “Sinagtala” Battalion, citing hunger and hardships he experienced in the mountains while with the insurgent group.
The surrenderer, whose name was withheld for security reason, was presented on Monday to Governor Gerardo Noveras by Col. Andrew D. Castello, commander of 703rd Infantry Brigade; and Col. Raul Siriban, provincial director of the Aurora Police Provincial Office, at the conference room of the provincial capitol here.
Lt. Col. Jose Mari Torrenueva II, 91st IB commander, said the surrendered NPA officer yielded two high-powered firearms and live ammunition at the boundaries of Barangay Villa, Maria Aurora town in Aurora province and Barangay Labi, in Bongabon, Nueva Ecija after intelligence build-up conducted in the area last November 15.
“The surrender was the result of the intensified focused military operations against the NPA terrorist group,” Torrenueva said.
The surrenderer, who is a native of Aurora province, said in an interview that he is tired of fighting against the government forces.
“As supply officer, I never handed money and it is only the cadre commander who holds the money of our fellow comrade,” said the former rebel, who joined the NPA at the age of 17.
He belonged to the group operating in the boundaries of Maria Aurora and San Luis in Aurora, and Bongabon town in Nueva Ecija.
He also narrated his experience of starvation caused by the dwindling support from the masses.
“The people, who supported us before, now believe in the goodness efforts being conducted by the government and that is the reason why I decided to return to the folds of the law,” the former rebel said.
His decision to surrender was an aftermath of the setback they suffered during their group’s encounter with government forces last November 14.
In the said encounter, seven armed communist rebels and extortionists under the Komiteng Larangang Gerilya Sierra Madre were neutralized in a focused military operation of Inter-Agency Security Forces initiated by 84th Infantry Battalion, 7th Infantry Division, 69th Infantry Battalion and the Nueva Ecija Provincial Police Office in the vicinity of Barangay Estrella, Rizal, Nueva Ecija.
Two of the seven neutralized NPAs were killed, four were wounded, and one was captured.
No casualty was reported on the side of government forces.
Torrenueva said that the latest surrender is an excellent manifestation that the government efforts on winning against communist terrorists through focused military operations and Community Support Program (CSP) activities are effective.
“I am calling other NPA members to lay down their arms, surrender, and avail of the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP),” he said.
Torrenueva likewise said the significant increase in the number of NPA terrorists returning to the fold of the law is also evidence of their effective collaboration with the local government unit and local officials.
Meanwhile, Noveras said the provincial government of Aurora is willing to support and give the surrendered rebel livelihood aid to become a productive citizen.
The governor assured that the provincial government will also help other NPA members who would like to rejoin mainstream society.
“We will give them livelihood and more training are lined up to help the former rebels acquire new skills for employment,” he said.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1086363
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