NPA amazon in Cagayan carnage yields

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines - – A female member of the New People’s Army (NPA) who admitted taking part in the ambush that left eight police trainees in Allacapan, Cagayan last May surrendered to the authorities on Friday.

Citing difficult life in the mountain, Marites Alicuman, alias Ka Isabel, was accompanied by Allacapan town Mayor Leonalia Onia when she gave herself up to the authorities, according to Senior Superintendent Frank Mabanag, chief of the regional police directorial staff.

Mabanag said they are studying the possibility of making Alicuman a state witness against her former comrades who were charged for violating the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2007.

If convicted, the rebels will not be eligible for amnesty, Mabanag said.

Alicuman and her group, reportedly led by a certain Kumander Lolito Rasa, ambushed and killed eight members of the Special Action Force during a fitness routine in the village of Cataratan.

The rebels were also charged with robbery for allegedly taking six rifles, seven 9mm pistols from the slain commandos.

Alicuman reportedly joined the rebel movement in 2011 under the Cagayan Ernesto West Command.

Mabanag said she was turned over to the custody of Cagayan police director Senior Superintendent Gregorio Lim.