Two alleged top ranking NPA officials surrender

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – A couple believed to be high-ranking officials of the New People’s Army (NPA) based in the central part of Negros Occidental surrendered to the Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion (IB) in Isabela town last Sunday.

A certain “Ka Dodong”, an alleged political instructor of SDG platoon, Central Negros 2 (CN2), and “Ka Lara”, an alleged medical officer of the said NPA unit, yielded to the battalion headquarters in Barangay Libas.

Dodong also turned over a caliber. 45 pistol, two magazines, and 25 pieces of ammunition.

Police Captain Joseph Partidas, head of the Isabela Municipal Police Station served an alias arrest warrant for murder against Dodong.

The warrant dated March 10, 2014 was issued by Judge Katherine Go of the Regional Trial Court Branch 59 in San Carlos City, a report from the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo) indicated.

The couple, according to the Army, decided to surrender due to the hardship in life, abuses, and corruption inside the NPA organization.

They were disgruntled with the false promises of the NPA to own a land, nil medical assistance, and growing suspicion within their ranks, a press release from the Army said.

Lieutenant Colonel Melvin Flores, acting battalion commander, said the “return of rebels to the folds of the law was the outcome of right information provided to the populace in collaboration with civil authorities.”

“We assured them that they will be given financial support, legal assistance, and livelihood package as part of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) of the government to former rebels,” Flores added.

He reiterated his call to the remaining members of the NPA to lay down their arms and embrace the true meaning of peace, as he stressed that the armed struggle is not a solution to the problem.

 

PEACE RALLY

Meanwhile, some residents of Barangay Canlandog, Murcia town led by local officials held a peace rally during the celebration of the 122nd Independence Day last Friday, to show their strong support in condemning the alleged atrocities and illegal activities of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-NPA.

Observing necessary health protocols for coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the people of Canlandog hoisted posters and tarpaulins, calling for an end to the “terrorist” activities, extortion, harassment, and deception of civilians, as well as recruitment of minors…,” a press release from the 72nd IB said.

The event was followed by a dialogue with the residents and messages of peace from the local officials and testimonies of a former rebel.

In a statement, Lieutenant Colonel Gerard Alvaran, 79th IB commander, expressed his appreciation to the people of Canlandog village for their support towards ending atrocities through a peace rally.

“With the continued support and participation of the people of Murcia in our campaign against terrorism, we can really achieve an insurgency-free and peaceful society,” he added.