‘Ranking rebel’ officer yields

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A ranking officer of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Iloilo has voluntarily turned himself in to authorities.

Carlo (real name withheld) – who also uses the aliases Vic, Victor, Concon, Thor and Denver – surrendered to the Philippine Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion, Tubungan Municipal Police Station and Tubungan local government on Jan. 6.

Carlo, 35, is believed to be the finance and logistic officer of Squad 2, Regional Sentro De Gravidad, Madia-as Platoon of the NPA’s Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay.

In a press statement, the 61st IB claimed that the former rebel admitted that “demoralization, false promises, ill-treatment, and corruption of NPA leaders” forced him to surrender to government forces.

The 61IB leadership said it is preparing Flora’s documents for him to avail of the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

Meanwhile, the Army’s 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division hierarchy has again called on the remaining NPAs to take a cue from Carlo and return to the folds of the government to start a new and peaceful life with their families.

“Your organization is on the brink of downfall. You can still regain your future if you return to the government peacefully as early as possible,” Major General Marion Sison, 3rd ID commander, said.

He assured that the Philippine Army is more than willing to save them from the foreseeable destruction of the communist terrorist group.

“Choose peace, go back to your loved ones, and renew your lives with the help of the government’s E-CLIP,” Sison said.