More NPA rebels signify to surrender

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – More members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Negros island sent surrender feelers through local officials.

This was revealed by Brigadier General Inocencio Pasaporte, commander of the Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde), following the distribution of P200,000 worth of cash assistance and educational assistance to rebel returnees in Himamaylan City this week.

Pasaporte claimed that those who signified to surrender are mostly members of the armed struggle, while others are platoon leaders under the NPA’s Central Negros (CN) 1 and CN 2 units.

CN 1 members are based in Guihulngan City and Vallehermoso in Negros Oriental, Moises Padilla and Isabela towns in Negros Occidental, and other neighboring localities; while CN 2 are those based in Binalbagan town and Himamaylan City in Negros Occidental.

Pasaporte said there’s no date yet for the actual surrender.

“Ang iban abi gina bantayan man sang ila mga upod,” he added.

Meanwhile, Pasaporte claimed that CN 1 and CN 2 have weakened because of their internal and organizational problems. Thus, many of their members have surrendered.

He also said that the discovery of an anti-personnel mine and cache of ammunition in Himamaylan City this month has weakened the guerilla fronts left in the island.

“We will sustain our efforts to further reduce the insurgency in Negros island,” he said, adding that 23 encounters have been recorded this year.