(By Allen Estabillo)
SURRENDER. Another “aggrieved” member of the New People’s Army (NPA) identified as alias “Gamo” surrenders on Thursday (Dec. 19, 2019) to the Army’s 27th Infantry Battalion in Lake Sebu town, South Cotabato province. The rebel decided to yield following a series of negotiations facilitated by local government officials. (Photo courtesy of the Army’s 27IB)
An “aggrieved” member of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered on Thursday afternoon to government troops in Lake Sebu town, South Cotabato province.
1Lt. Efren Halawig, civil-military operations officer of the Army’s 27th Infantry Battalion (IB), said the rebel decided to yield following a series of negotiations facilitated by concerned local government officials.
Halawig said the returnee, who was only identified as alias “Gamo,” was a member of the Platoon West of the NPA’s Sub-Regional Committee-Musa or Guerilla Front 73, Far South Mindanao Region.
Alias “Gamo” gave up an M16 Armalite rifle reportedly issued by his unit, which mainly operates in the hinterlands of Lake Sebu and the neighboring localities, he said.
Halawig said the rebel, who hails from Barangay Ned in Lake Sebu, had long been planning to surrender as he reportedly had enough of the “unfair treatment” by their leaders.
Aside from their difficult situation in the mountains, he said the rebels were reportedly forced to extort and loot from civilians in order to survive.
“This was in the guise of a scheme called Rebulosyonaryong Buwis sa Kauri at Kaaway, wherein the NPA members were used to threaten business owners and ransack their establishments to obtain food supplies,” he said, citing statements issued by the surrenderer.
Lt. Col. Jones Otida, 27IB commanding officer, said in a statement such actions mainly showed that the NPA is not “pro-people or pro-masses” as it has been espousing.
“These complemented its brand as a terrorist group,” said Otida, who personally received the returnee at their base in Barangay Kablon, Tupi town.
Otida said they will immediately process the enrolment of the former rebel into the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.
Under the program, returnees will be given financial and livelihood assistance as well as other support interventions to facilitate their integration into the mainstream of the society.
“Our government agencies are waiting to give assistance to NPA members who desire to lay down their arms. We thank the people who accompanied us in our efforts in adding social pressure for these terrorists to finally surrender,” he added.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1089189
1Lt. Efren Halawig, civil-military operations officer of the Army’s 27th Infantry Battalion (IB), said the rebel decided to yield following a series of negotiations facilitated by concerned local government officials.
Halawig said the returnee, who was only identified as alias “Gamo,” was a member of the Platoon West of the NPA’s Sub-Regional Committee-Musa or Guerilla Front 73, Far South Mindanao Region.
Alias “Gamo” gave up an M16 Armalite rifle reportedly issued by his unit, which mainly operates in the hinterlands of Lake Sebu and the neighboring localities, he said.
Halawig said the rebel, who hails from Barangay Ned in Lake Sebu, had long been planning to surrender as he reportedly had enough of the “unfair treatment” by their leaders.
Aside from their difficult situation in the mountains, he said the rebels were reportedly forced to extort and loot from civilians in order to survive.
“This was in the guise of a scheme called Rebulosyonaryong Buwis sa Kauri at Kaaway, wherein the NPA members were used to threaten business owners and ransack their establishments to obtain food supplies,” he said, citing statements issued by the surrenderer.
Lt. Col. Jones Otida, 27IB commanding officer, said in a statement such actions mainly showed that the NPA is not “pro-people or pro-masses” as it has been espousing.
“These complemented its brand as a terrorist group,” said Otida, who personally received the returnee at their base in Barangay Kablon, Tupi town.
Otida said they will immediately process the enrolment of the former rebel into the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.
Under the program, returnees will be given financial and livelihood assistance as well as other support interventions to facilitate their integration into the mainstream of the society.
“Our government agencies are waiting to give assistance to NPA members who desire to lay down their arms. We thank the people who accompanied us in our efforts in adding social pressure for these terrorists to finally surrender,” he added.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1089189
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