Another NPA member yields to the military

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — Another self-confessed member of the New People's Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, has voluntarily surrendered to the 79th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army based in Siaton town of Negros Oriental.

The rebel was the second NPA member to have surrendered to the 79th IB since its recently appointed OIC battalion commander, Lt. Col. Harold Anthony Pascua, assumed office last February 10.

The 22-year-old rebel, who claimed to be a member of Squad 3 of the Sentro De Grabidad Platoon of the NPA's South East Front-Komiteng Rehiyon Negros turned himself in to government troops on Thursday, said Pascua.

This NPA unit has been operating in the areas of Pamplona, San Jose and boundaries of Sta. Catalina and Siaton, Negros Oriental.

The rebel told the Philippine Army that he voluntarily surrendered to clear his name and go back to mainstream society. He said he wanted to live a peaceful and normal life with his family, free from fear and danger, adding that he was leaving the NPA "due to internal conflict wherein he lost interest and trust."

Pascua has attributed the recent surrenders of self-proclaimed NPA members to the continuous military operations conducted by the battalion. Last February 21, another 22-year-old male from Pamplona, Negros Oriental also surrendered to the 79th IB for the very same reasons.

Pascua disclosed a dwindling number of members of the NPA's SDG-SEF-KRN, adding that hopefully more rebels will return to the folds of the law soon.

He encouraged members of the NPA to lay down their arms and solve the internal conflict with the government peacefully and avail of the Local Social Integration Program which is offered by the local government of Negros Oriental.