Two more self-confessed members of the rebel New People’s Army (NPA) formally surrendered to Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo on Thursday at the Capitol.
This came amid relentless operations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to quash the remaining NPA forces in the province to meet the June 2014 deadline to declare Negros Oriental insurgency-free.
Lt. Col. Harold Anthony Pascua, commander of the 79th IB of the Philippine Army, facilitated the surrender of the two, only known as alias Andoy, 20 years old, and alias Renan, 23 years old and both residents of Sta. Catalina town, about 90 minutes drive south of this capital.
Both are members of Squad 3, Sentro de Gravidad Platoon of the South East Front-Komiteng Rehiyon Negros of the NPA, disclosed Pascua.
Andoy and Renan brought to a total of five NPA members surrendered to the 79th IB since Lt. Col. Pascua assumed his post last February 10.
In an interview, both “Andoy” and “Renan” said they left the rebel movement due to hardships and “sacrifices” and now desire to return to the mainstream of society.
“Andoy” said he stayed with the NPA for about nine months and had even carried an M-16 armalite rifle with him. He claimed to have participated in an encounter between NPA rebels and government troops last year at Naupao in Sta. Catalina town at the height of the May 13 elections.
“I can’t take it anymore. I am tired. We are always in hiding,” he went on to say as he disclosed of internal conflict in the organization.
“Andoy” told reporters he joined the NPA after being promised a better life that would help his poor family but until today, that promise has yet to be fulfilled.
He also disclosed that he decided to surrender after hearing reports of other “comrades” whom he identified as "Maisa" and "Sisam" as having turned themselves in to authorities earlier.
For his part, “Renan” disclosed he was only part of the rebel movement for about two months last year during the election period but decided to lie low afterwards.
While with the NPA, he claimed to have alternated carrying an M-16 armalite rifle or a machine gun. He also participated in two encounters last year, one in Naupao and the other in Bongabong, all in Sta. Catalina, during the elections.
“Renan” reiterated “Andoy’s” disclosure of empty promises and also admitted he got tired of the “tough” life inside the NPA organization.
He admitted that the NPA leadership knew of his surrender and that he left behind the firearms that he previously carried.
Both surrenderees, however, denied participation in the recent encounters between the NPA and Philippine Army soldiers in the hinterland barangays of Pal-iw and Bahian in
Meanwhile, Gov. Degamo has given the assurance that “Andoy” and “Renan” will be given cash and livelihood assistance under the government’s program for rebel returnees.
The governor called on the other members of the NPA to lay down their arms peacefully as he promised that the national and local governments as well as the AFP are ready and willing to help them start anew.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=625180
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