NPA leader surrenders to govt troops

From the Manila Times (Nov 13, 20211): NPA leader surrenders to govt troops

A top leader of the communist New People's Army (NPA) surrendered to government troops conducting military operations in Lupon town in Davao Oriental early this week.

Capt. Mark Anthony Tito, the public affairs office chief of the 10th Infantry Division based in Mawab, Davao de Oro, identified the surrenderer as Jocy Villaruel Papasin, also known as Domai.

Tito said that Papasin is the front secretary of the Guerilla Front 18 of the NPA-National Democratic Front.

According to Tito, prior to Papasin's surrender, an armed encounter ensued between the army and a group of NPA combatants. He said the retreating rebels scampered in various directions, abandoning Papasin who eventually surrendered as she was unable to escape during the firefight.

She was immediately given first aid by the troops and subsequently moved to Mati City for further medical evaluation.

The medical staff of Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center eventually found out that Papasin is five months pregnant.

The Philippine Army was able to recover an M653 rifle, 15 pieces of ammunition, improvised 12-gauge shotgun magazines and personal belongings from the encounter site.

Col. Oliver Maquiling, commander of the 701st Infantry Brigade, said that the surrender of Papasin is a major setback for the armed communist group.

He added that the sharp and timely operations of the military resulted in the NPA losing its balance in areas where it is hiding.

During the interview, Papasin revealed that she had contemplated surrendering due to hardships from the unrelenting government operations against the NPA in the region.

The loss of the NPA's mass base support led to the growing discontentment among the guerilla front's ranks which is manifested by the increased number of rebels and insurgents going back to the folds of the law, Papasin said in the vernacular.

Papasin is now in the custody of the 66th Infantry Battalion. Her papers are being processed for her to avail of the government's Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.

Papasin will also be required to undergo a reconciliation and healing program to address the trauma and burden she might have acquired while being in the armed group.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/11/13/news/regions/npa-leader-surrenders-to-govt-troops/1822000