1 more communist rebel surrenders

From the Sun Star-Davao (Aug 26): 1 more communist rebel surrenders

ANOTHER member of the New People's Army (NPA) surrendered to government troops in Monkayo town in Compostela Valley province on Sunday, an army official said.

Captain Raul Villegas, spokesperson for the Army's 10th Infantry Division, identified the rebel surrenderee as Jhon Mark Vergara, resident of Purok 3 at Mt. Diwata, Monkayo town.

Villegas, in a text message, said Vergara used to be a “political guide” of the NPA’s Guerilla Front 25 SRMC operating in the remote areas of Compostela Valley. He surrendered to the 25th Infantry Battalion.

The rebel returnee also surrendered his M14 rifle with serial number 1538420 loaded with a magazine with 12 live ammunitions.

"According to him (Villegas), he surrendered because of the ongoing political rivalries in the group. He added that he is already tired of being haunted by his conscience for the atrocities committed by their group," Villegas said.

Villegas said just like other rebel returnees, Villegas will undergo debriefing and will be recommended to benefit a program of the government to obtain monetary and livelihood assistance.

Villegas added that the local government vowed to provide the basic needs of the rebel returnees.

The Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) has already recorded a total of 150 rebel returnees since January this year, including Villegas and two other rebels who have just surrendered in Sarangani Province on Thursday.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/2013/08/26/1-more-communist-rebel-surrenders-299708