Two NPA members yield to authorities in Ilocos Sur

From the Philippine Information Agency (Oct 6, 2020): Two NPA members yield to authorities in Ilocos Sur (By Freddie G. Lazaro) 

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union, Oct. 6 (PIA) - - Two New People’s Army (NPA) rebels surrendered voluntarily to the army troops in Sta. Cruz, Ilocos Sur, according to army’s 81st Infantry Battalion Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Rodrigo A. Mariñas Jr.

The two NPA rebels surrendered to the army upon the intervention of the local officials with the assistance of the soldiers and the local police.

Mariñas identified the NPA rebel surrenderees as “Ka Eddie” and “Ka Andong,” both belonging to the Komiteng Larangan Gerilya South Ilocos Sur (KLG-SIS) of the NPA and residents of Sta. Cruz, Ilocos Sur.

“The real names of the two surrendered NPA rebels are withheld for security reasons,” he said.

The local officials accompanied the surrendered rebels to the headquarters of the army’s 81st Infantry Battalion in Barangay Bugbuga, Sta. Cruz, Ilocos Sur on October 3, 2020.

During the custodial inquiry, “Ka Eddie” confessed that he joined the KLG-SIS of the NPA in December 2019 but became inactive in March 2020. “Ka Andong” also professed that he was an active member of the KLG-SIS between 2000-2003.

Although they are inactive NPA members, both “Ka Eddie” and "Ka Andong" admitted that they remain as trusted contacts, organizers, and recruiters of the NPA in Ilocos Sur.

Mariñas said the rebel's act of surrendering to the authorities is a manifestation of their renewed trust in the government.

“As a commitment to the Executive Order (EO) 70 or the whole of nation approach to end the local communist armed conflict, the army, and concerned government agencies and local government units (LGUs) are encouraging all NPAs to surrender. Let us give a chance to live in peace as the Christmas season is fast approaching,” said Mariñas.

Further, Mariñas said that the other concerned government agencies are now working on the possible assistance for the two rebels as stated in the Enhanced-Comprehensive Livelihood Integration Program (E-CLIP).

For his part, the army’s 702nd Brigade Commander Brigadier General Audrey L. Pasia cited the initiatives of the Sta. Cruz, Ilocos Sur Vice Mayor Virgilio Valle, Caparian village Chairman Reymundo Bagano Jr., and Indigenous People’s Chieftain Constante Jaramilla, together with the local policemen and the soldiers for the surrender of the two NPA rebels. (JCR/FGL,PIA 1)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1055189