ENOUGH WITH DECEPTION. Two regular members of the communist New People’s Army surrender to the Army's 29th Infantry Battalion on Sunday (March 29). Tired and exhausted, they decided to quit after three years of deception by the communist rebel movement. (Photo courtesy of 29IB)
The Philippine Army welcomed on Sunday (March 29) the surrender of two regular members of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) in Agusan del Norte.
In a statement on Monday (March 30), Lt. Col. Isagani Criste, commander of the Army's 29th Infantry Battalion, said the two NPA members surrendered to their headquarters in Barangay Del Pilar, Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte.
“The surrender of the two rebels coincided with the celebration of the 51st anniversary of the NPA,” Criste said.
Criste identified the two rebels as alias “Rocky”, 51, a resident of Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte, a member of Platoon Banakon, Sentro de Gravidad 16 of Guerrilla Front 16, North Eastern Mindanao Command (NEMRC); and one alias "Bibong", 40, a resident of Santiago, Agusan del Norte, a member of Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda of Guerrilla Front 16-A.
The two NPA regulars turned over to the Army a KG-9 pistol, one magazine with 15 rounds of ammunition, one homemade shotgun, and subversive documents with high intelligence value.
Criste noted that the two NPA members appeared tired and exhausted at the time of their surrender.
“I feel your deep distress and regret for the wasted years which you spent serving the NPA in exchange for the moments you could have spent with your family,” he told the former rebels.
Criste praised the decision of the two NPA members to return to the folds of the law and reunite with their families and communities.
“I know your intentions were good and that you only desire that which is best for your family. I’m happy now that you have found your way back before it was too late,” he said.
Alias Rocky was quoted as saying that he was enticed by the NPA to join in exchange for financial support for his family.
“After three years with the rebel movement, I realized that they never provided support to my family. The NPA leadership also provided less care to its combatants,” Rocky said.
He said that there were times he had a high fever and severely ill in the mountains but the leadership failed to provide him the medicine he needed.
“I was not allowed to take rest despite my condition,” he added.
For his part, “Bibong” said the NPA deceived him to believe that he could protect his children and family if he would join the movement.
“Now I realized what they told me three years ago was not true. In reality, I was putting my family and children in danger. Now, all I want is to be with my family and guide my children. They are still young,” he said.
Criste also urged the remaining NPA rebels in the area to surrender and avail of government programs for former rebels.
The NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United Kingdom, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1098261
In a statement on Monday (March 30), Lt. Col. Isagani Criste, commander of the Army's 29th Infantry Battalion, said the two NPA members surrendered to their headquarters in Barangay Del Pilar, Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte.
“The surrender of the two rebels coincided with the celebration of the 51st anniversary of the NPA,” Criste said.
Criste identified the two rebels as alias “Rocky”, 51, a resident of Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte, a member of Platoon Banakon, Sentro de Gravidad 16 of Guerrilla Front 16, North Eastern Mindanao Command (NEMRC); and one alias "Bibong", 40, a resident of Santiago, Agusan del Norte, a member of Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda of Guerrilla Front 16-A.
The two NPA regulars turned over to the Army a KG-9 pistol, one magazine with 15 rounds of ammunition, one homemade shotgun, and subversive documents with high intelligence value.
Criste noted that the two NPA members appeared tired and exhausted at the time of their surrender.
“I feel your deep distress and regret for the wasted years which you spent serving the NPA in exchange for the moments you could have spent with your family,” he told the former rebels.
Criste praised the decision of the two NPA members to return to the folds of the law and reunite with their families and communities.
“I know your intentions were good and that you only desire that which is best for your family. I’m happy now that you have found your way back before it was too late,” he said.
Alias Rocky was quoted as saying that he was enticed by the NPA to join in exchange for financial support for his family.
“After three years with the rebel movement, I realized that they never provided support to my family. The NPA leadership also provided less care to its combatants,” Rocky said.
He said that there were times he had a high fever and severely ill in the mountains but the leadership failed to provide him the medicine he needed.
“I was not allowed to take rest despite my condition,” he added.
For his part, “Bibong” said the NPA deceived him to believe that he could protect his children and family if he would join the movement.
“Now I realized what they told me three years ago was not true. In reality, I was putting my family and children in danger. Now, all I want is to be with my family and guide my children. They are still young,” he said.
Criste also urged the remaining NPA rebels in the area to surrender and avail of government programs for former rebels.
The NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United Kingdom, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1098261
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