2 more NPA rebels surrender to authorities in Negros Oriental

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — Two more self-confessed members of  the rebel NPA surrendered to Negros  Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, on Thursday at the Capitol.

The two were identified only by their aliases, namely, Andoy and Renan, according to Lt. Col. Harold Anthony Pascua, commander of the 79th Infantry Battalion, who facilitated their surrender.

Andoy, 20, and Renan, 23, were both residents of Sta. Catalina town, about 90 minutes drive south of this capital city, and members of Squad 3, Sentro de Gravidad Platoon of the South East Front-Komiteng Rehiyon Negros of the NPA, said Pascua.

This brought to a total of  five NPA members who voluntarily surrendered to the 79th IB since Pascua assumed his post last Feb. 10.

Andoy and Renan said they left the rebel movement due to hardships and “sacrifices” and decided to return to the mainstream society. They were made to believe the NPA was the real army of the people with the promise of salaries for joining it. None of these were however realized, they said.

Andoy said he stayed with the NPA for nine months and had even carried an M-16 armalite rifle with him, while being always on the run, mostly with empty stomachs.

Renan said he was part of the rebel movement for about two months last year during the election period but decided to lie low afterwards.

The two had participated in the encounter with soldiers of the 79th IB on the May 13 elections that caused the death of a soldier in Naopao, Sta. Catalina.

“I can’t take it anymore. I am tired. We are always in hiding,” Andoy said as he disclosed of internal conflict in the organization. He said the strength of the NPA is now dwindling with 22 armed combatants operating in southern Negros Oriental, minus two of  them.

He also disclosed that he decided to surrender after hearing reports of other “comrades” whom he identified as Maisa and Sisam as having turned themselves in to authorities earlier.

Degamo, for his part, had assured Andoy and Renan of cash and livelihood assistance under the government’s program for rebel returnees. The governor also called on the other NPA members to lay down their arms peacefully because the government will help them start a fresh and normal life.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Army was confident to quash the remaining NPA rebels as it aimed to meet the June 2014 deadline to declare Negros Oriental province insurgency free.

Colonel Christopher Estela, commander of the 302nd Infantry Brigade, said the timetable is attainable by May this year without the need to reduce the number of  rebels to zero level. (FREEMAN)