Rebel son of captured NPA leader in Abra surrenders

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – The son and namesake of Jovencio Balweg Sr., Abra’s top communist rebel leader, gave himself up to police authorities early yesterday morning, a day after his father was captured here and his mother surrendered.

Jovencio Jr., 30, alias Ka Daffy, was convinced by his parents to give himself up, Senior Superintendent Alexander Pumecha, Cordillera police intelligence chief, said after the Balwegs were presented at Camp Crame yesterday afternoon.

The young Balweg, a former student leader here before joining the communist movement that his parents led in Abra, was said to be the political officer of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army in south-central Abra.

He is also the political officer of the provincial fighting unit of the Abra-based Agustin Begnalen Command.

Chief Superintendent Orlando Pestaño, Cordillera police director, said the elder Balweg, 58, was tracked down through his frequent visits to hospitals in Abra where he sought treatment for spinal canal stenosis.

He said there were also tipsters who were after the P1-million reward for the capture of Balweg, who said he also suffered a stroke.

Balweg went into hiding after killing his rebel-priest brother Conrado in their house in Malibcong, Abra on Dec. 31, 1999.

Upon his capture, Balweg himself negotiated the surrender of his wife Carmen and son.

In the presence of his family, Abra Gov. Eustaquio Bersamin and Philippine National Police chief Director General Jesus Verzosa, Balweg pledged his support for the government’s peace initiatives in northern Luzon, especially in Abra.

For his part, Verzosa said, “For our part in the PNP, we assure the people of Abra of our firm commitment to the programs we have initiated to make the province a showcase of peace and development in the Cordillera region.” – Artemio Dumlao, Jaime Laude and Non Alquitran