Posted to Kalinaw News (Nov 22, 2020): New NPA Surrenderee: “We have done nothing good” (By Jamaiela Ellaine)
MIAGAO, ILOILO – Another member of the New People’s Army from Tubungan, Iloilo voluntarily surrendered himself to the 61st Infantry (Hunter) Battalion on Friday, November 20, 2020.
The surrenderee is identified as Alyas Ramon, 30 years old and a member of Sibat Platoon, Southern Front, Komiteng Rehiyon – Panay. He surrendered with one Cal .45 Colt pistol, one magazine of cal .45 loaded with seven rounds ammunition and one long homemade shotgun with five rounds ammunition.
Citing account from the surrenderee, Alyas Ramon in his vernacular language said that he decided to surface and lay down his firearms because of hunger and hardship in the area and he realized that, “I had been in the group for a long time but we have done nothing good. I was made to believe that we are fighting for the right cause. Instead, we harass and ambush government forces, conduct extortions, terrorize the people and recruit minors which are grave violations of human rights”.
Furthermore, Hon. Roquito Tacsagon, Tubungan Mayor for his part, expressed his sincere appreciation to Alyas Ramon’s decision to surrender, and said, “This was his best decision in life of going back to the folds of the law and live a normal life with his family. LGU Tubungan will help him start a new life and make him a productive member of the community. We have a lot of programs intended for former rebels”.
Lieutenant Colonel Joel Benedict G Batara, CO, 61IB also stated that, “This only shows that these NPA members have realized that their armed struggle has tremendously created a miserable effect to the country’s peace and progress. They now prefer to live peacefully with their family. To the remaining members of the NPA, you have to bear in mind that fighting with our government can never be the solution to the problem. We should work hand in hand for a better society, without terror and disunity. Rest assured we are always open to give equal opportunities to those who want to embrace peace.”
Meanwhile, the Army will help Alyas Ramon to enroll in the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program so that he can start a new life.
[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]
https://www.kalinawnews.com/new-npa-surrenderee-we-have-done-nothing-good/
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