NPA squad leader in Compostela Valley yields

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 21): NPA squad leader in Compostela Valley yields

A squad leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) operating in Monkayo town, Compostela Valley voluntarily surrendered to the local government unit (LGU) in the area.

Captain Rhyan Batchar, 10th Infantry (Agila) Division chief information officer, on Tuesday reported that alias Mar, 22, voluntarily surrendered to Monkayo Mayor Ramil Gentugaya last February 18 and sought the chief executive’s help to facilitate his formal surrender to the Philippine Army.

Mar is now under the custody of 25th Infantry Battalion after he was formally turned over by Mayor Gentugaya on Tuesday, Batchar added.

“We need to hide the true identity of Mar as of now for his security,” Batchar said, adding that Mar served as a squad leader of the NPA’s Pulang Bagani Company (PBC) 8.

He is a native of Agusan del Sur province.

“Hardships and fear within the communist organization following the relentless combat operations of the military pushed Mar to abandon the movement to live a new life,” Batchar pointed out.

What Mar feared of is the warning of death given by their leaders once a member of the movement decides to leave.

“Mar now feels more secure in the custody of the military,” Batchar said, pointing out that a number of Mar’s comrades are also planning to bolt the movement at any opportune time.

Batchar added that Mar is now undergoing custodial debriefing and validation for enrolment to the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) for rebel returnees.

Brig. Gen. Macairog S. Alberto, commander of 1001st Infantry Brigade, lauded the decision of Mar to go back to the fold of the law.

Alberto also aired an appeal to the misguided terrorists to come down and return to their families and live a productive life rather one of violence.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=965955