Ex-rebel thanks Army soldiers for saving his life

From the Visayan Daily Star (Apr 21, 2022): Ex-rebel thanks Army soldiers for saving his life (By GILBERT P. BAYORAN)

A former combatant of the New People’s Army, who was injured in an encounter with 62nd Infantry Battalion soldiers and policemen last month in Isabela, Negros Occidental, thanked the Philippine Army for saving his life.

Robert Carillo Anceno, 23, alias “Ka Kits”, has fully recovered from his injuries after he was treated in a hospital and received at least four bags of blood from 62IB troopers.

“After what happened to me, I’m really thankful to the Army and the police. Even though I fought them, they still saved my life and helped me seek a new path,” Anceno said in Hiligaynon in a video, released by the 62IB on April 19.

He added that he has realized the government they were fighting against is the one that can help them.

“It was too much suffering. We had to walk at night with nothing in return. They would just tell you it’s normal. We were indoctrinated almost every day to fight the government,” Anceno said.

Anceno was among the fighters of Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda (SYP) Platoon Lenovo of the NPA’s Leonardo Panaligan Command who engaged the soldiers of 62IB in a gunbattle.

Two of his former comrades, including Virgilio Marco Tamban alias “Bedam” of Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, commanding officer of Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda (SYP) Platoon, Central Negros (CN)1 – Komiteng Region – Negros, Cebu, Bohol at Siquijor (KR-NCBS), died in the gunbattle.

When he was wounded and left behind by his comrades, the 62IB said Anceno decided to surrender and the troops helped him get treatment for his injuries.

Anceno called on those still with the CPP-NPA to give up and lead a peaceful life as he also asked the civilians to stop supporting the NPA and to watch their children and prevent them from being recruited to join the armed struggle.

“If you’re poor, you will become even poorer because the NPA will still ask a portion of what you earn,” he added.

https://visayandailystar.com/ex-rebel-thanks-army-soldiers-for-saving-his-life/