Two "NPA members" surrender to military

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines - — Two men, who claimed to be members of the NPA in southern Negros Oriental, have voluntarily surrendered to troops of the 79th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army on Monday.

They were identified (not their real names) as Dagul, 21, and Ivan, 29, who said they were members of Squad 3, Sentro de Gravidad Platoon, South East Front-Komiteng Rehiyon Negros (SEF-KRN) operating in the areas of Pamplona and San Jose towns and at the boundaries of Sta. Catalina and Siaton towns, all in Negros Oriental.

A media release from the 79th IB said the "former rebels" affirmed that they decided to leave the NPA because they lost interest to pursue the armed struggle because of internal conflicts in the organization, causing it to be on the brink of collapse.

Dagul and Ivan added that their surrender was to clear their names and go back to mainstream society to live peacefully together with their families and have a normal life that is free from any danger, the media release said.

Lieutenant Col. Harold Anthony Pascua, acting commander of the 79th IB, was quoted as saying that the surrender of the two "is a clear manifestation that the NPA in the area is weak and on skeletal condition as they experience both combat and social pressure."

Pascua added: "Now that the province of Negros Oriental was declared as conflict manageable and development ready, more and more pressure among the people will be experienced by the armed group. Thus, I am calling the remaining elements of the NPA in Negros Oriental to lay down their arms and together let us solve the problems peacefully."

The 79th IB will help facilitate, through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office headed by Miss Alicia Lagarde, the surrender of 'Dagul" and "Ivan" for them to avail of the Local Social Integration Program of the province of Negros Oriental which provides cash assistance for livelihood.  (FREEMAN)