THREE members of the New People’s Army (NPA), two of them are women and minors, have surrendered to the army’s 29th Infantry Battalion in Agusan del Norte, a military official said on Tuesday.
“They are all tired and exhausted,” said 4th Infantry Division public affairs chief Captain Al Anthony Pueblas.
Pueblas even said they decided to quit after years of deception by the communist rebel movement.
Pueblas said the NPA fighter and two amazona minors were able to escape from the terrorists and voluntarily surrendered to the army’s 29th Infantry Battalion at Brgy. Del Pilar, Cabadbaran City on July 5, 2020.
The 3 surrenderees were residents of Brgy. Anticala, Butuan City identified as Rendo Mandag alias @Agsam, 34, a former armed member of Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda (SYP); Mary Ann Gomez alias @Maya/ Siwit, 18, designated as the Medic of Squad “EBO” and Amie Havana alias @Dina, 15, a member of the same squad under alias @ZIAN of Sentro de Grabedad (SDG) 21.
All of them were from Guerilla Front (WGF) 21 of the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Command (NEMRC).
They brought one Armscor shotgun with twelve ammunition, medical paraphernalia, and subversive documents, according to Pueblas.
Alias @Maya was recruited last June 2018 when she was only 16, while alias @Dina was just recently joined in March 2020.
“Such recruitment of minors by the CNTs is a clear manifestation of their violation of the International Humanitarian Law and their disrespect for Human Rights,” said Pueblas.
It prohibits the recruitment of minors to any kind of armed struggle. Likewise, is a violation of the Republic Act 7610, which provides for “stronger deterrence and special protection against child abuse, exploitation, and discrimination.
“Niuban ko sa kalihukan sa NPA sa pagtuo nga ilang mapanalipdan ang akong katungod isip usa aka tao ug isip usa ka babaye. Apan nasayran nako nga bakak lang diay ang tanang gisulti nila.” said Gomez alias Maya.
Alias Maya said the situation inside was really difficult indeed, was extremely exhausting and they were not even allowed to visit their family.
”I deeply condemn such acts of the CNTs towards these minors, they have no concern for the life or future of these youths whom they have deceived,” said 29IB commander Lt. Colonel Isagani O. Criste, adding that they are just using them and they are lying about their motives for recruiting them.
I’m grateful that these young people were able to escape the evil of the CNTs because if they did not, they would have suffered miserably in the enemy’s hands and their parents would have been in deep despair and anguish, according to Criste.
Criste urged the youth today to wake up and don’t get fooled by their lies, arise and shake off the chains of destruction that bind them.
“Surrender now, your family is waiting for you and we are here to help you,” Criste said. (Ben Balce)
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