Three alleged rebels yield

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Three alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) recently surrendered to the Army in Negros Island.

In Negros Oriental, an alleged squad leader of the Central Negros Front 2 yielded to the Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion (IB) in Barangay Tambo, Ayungon town last Wednesday.

According to the Army, the rebel returnee was actively involved in propaganda and recruitment in the hinterlands of Binalbagan, Himamaylan, and Kabankalan City in Negros Occidental, prior to his surrender.

In almost a decade with the rebel group, he was reportedly involved in 10 armed engagements with the government troops.

He also surrendered a .45-caliber pistol with magazine and ammunition.

He is now undergoing custodial and stress debriefing prior to his enrollment to the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) in order to receive immediate welfare assistance, livelihood assistance, and incentives for the surrendered firearm.

Lieutenant Colonel Angelo Guzman, 94th IB commander, said this development is indicative that the future of NPAs in Central Negros is bleak, adding that the NPA is continuously experiencing a series of setbacks due to the persistence of the government forces.

Meanwhile, two high-ranking members of NPA operating in northern Negros also surrendered to the 79th Infantry Battalion (IB) in Sagay City, Negros Occidental last Saturday.

The surrenderers were an alleged political instructor, and educational staff, both members of the dismantled Northern Negros Front, Komiteng Rehiyon- Negros Cebu Bohol Siquijor, NNF (D), KR-NCBS, according to the Army.

With their surrender, they will become members of the Masaligan Former Rebels (FRs) Community for Peace Project wherein they will undergo the deradicalization program and avail of the benefits, livelihood and economic packages to enable them to start a new life with the mainstream society.

Meanwhile, Brigadier General Inocencio Pasaporte, commander of 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde), said their surrender adds up to the increasing number of NPA and Militia ng Bayan who finally decided to come out for good and avail the amnesty program of the government.