Kalinaw News: Female NPA member surrender with firearms in Surigao del Norte

Posted to Kalinaw News (Nov 14, 2020): Female NPA member surrender with firearms in Surigao del Norte



PLACER, Surigao del Norte— An active member of New People’s Army finds her way back to the mainstream after she successfully surrendered to the Community Support Program Team in Barangay Quezon, Surigao City, Thursday, November 12.

Based on the report, the said personality was identified as @Leilan (true name is being withheld for security), 19 years old, a regular member of SYP16B, Guerilla Front 16, NEMRC and a resident of Purok Avocado of the same barangay.

In her return to the folds of the law, she turned over one Caliber .45 and a hand grenade to the combined elements of Charlie Company, 29IB, 1st SDN Provincial Mobile Force Company, and Regional Mobile Force Battalion 13.

Regretful of her involvement with the Communist Terrorists Group (CTG), she disclosed that she joined the underground movement hoping that it will give her a better living condition. She said that the Communist NPA Terrorists (CNT) are using lies such as financial support and scholarship to encourage the youth to be involved and support their agenda.

She further revealed that her first involvement with the said group includes joining the underground mass organization in their locality wherein they are being mobilized in mass actions and rallies. She also said that she served as a courier of the armed group before she was formally recruited to be a regular NPA member.

Furthermore, @Leilan cited that she was radicalized together with other young recruits through indoctrinations and “teach-ins” about communist ideology and propagandas to inculcate culture hatred against the goverment.

Realizing her mistakes, she said that for several times she asked permission to return home but her superiors prevented her to do so. She admitted that she was only allowed to leave the group when she got pregnant by her Team Leader. For months, she went on hiding until she decided to surface and formally surrender to be reunited with her family and live a normal life.

Meanwhile, Col. George L. Banzon, Commander of 901st Infantry (Fight’Em) Brigade, said that he was grateful of the decision of the former rebel to totally abandon the armed struggle. Taking the case of @Leilan, the Brigade Commander stressed that it was clear manifestation of communist’s exploitation of our youth.

“The communist terrorists are opportunists who capitalize the vulnerabilities of our youth and the case @Leilan was a classic example of this. By luring her to join the violent armed struggle, the CTG deprived her with the opportunity to have a better future. Indeed, her situation is difficult knowing that she is now facing the responsibilities and challenges of being a parent after she was exposed into a situation where she was not supposed to be in” he said.

In coordination with LGU and other government agencies, Col. Banzon said that they will help the victim to avail benefits under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP).

“The government door is always open for those who will choose to surrender. Through our Local Task Force ELCAC, we will help her to avail the government programs intended for them so that she will have a new lease of life after her miserable experiences with the CTG”, Col. Banzon said.

On the other hand, the Brigade Commander reminded the local populace to be careful and watchful against CPP-NPA-NDF deceitful tactics so that they will not fall into the communist’s trap.

“We are hoping that the surrender of @Leilan may serve as reminder for everyone, specially to the parents to be vigilant so that our children will not end up victims of the CNTs”, he added.

https://www.kalinawnews.com/female-npa-member-surrender-with-firearms-in-surigao-del-norte/