FOUR active members of the New People’s Army (NPA) who are all from sub-regional committee 1, North Central Mindanao Region Command on Monday surrendered to the Army’s 58th Infantry Battalion in Claveria, Misamis Oriental, a military official said Saturday.
Army’s 4th Infantry Division public affairs chief Major Rodulfo Cordero said they returned to the folds of the law due to false promises, hunger, and exhaustion.
Cordero identified them as alias JB, 33, alias Miya, 20, both residents of Sitio Pulahon, Brgy Hagpa, Impasug-ong, Bukidnon, and members of Squad 3, Platoon Ryan. The two brought with them one Garand rifle and an M16 rifle.
He said the two others were both members of Squad 2, SDG Samsung, Huawei, identified as alias Ronald, 53, resident of Brgy Bunal, Salay, Misamis Oriental, and alias Rose, 40, a resident of P3, Brgy Ili-ilihon, Salay, Misamis Oriental.
“The continuous hardships, hunger, and false promises of NPA leaders have prompted them to surrender,” said Cordero.
“Ang giingon sa akoa, muoban ko matagaan daw ko ug maayong kaugmaon kay naghatag sila ug maayong edukasyon labi na sa mga kabatan-unan. Ug tungod sa gusto nako nga makaiskwela nga libre ang tanan kay wali mi kwarta, nag uban ako sa ila.” alias Miya said.
Alias Miya also revealed that the continuous hardships, hunger, and false promises of NPA leaders have prompted them to surrender.
“Sa pag-anha naku sa bukid, gutom ug kakapoy akong nakuha. Busa nakaamgo ko na wala gyud ko mahimo na kalambuan sa akong kinabuhi didto. Sa walay pagduha-duha nag uban gyud ko sa akong uyoan nga mag surrender sa kasundaluhan,” she added.
Meanwhile, alias Ronald encouraged the people, especially the vulnerable ones that they should not be deceived with the propagandas of the NPA.
“Pasabot nila nga mas maayu ang kinabuhi sa kabukiran kay matubag ang problema sa ekonomiya, libre hospital ug hatagan ug yuta pero sa unom katuig nga akoang pakikibaka, akong nakita nga bisan usa walay nasulbad,” he said.
The four NPA rebels also revealed that they surrendered because of the continuous exploitation of the NPA among the masses and even their members, according to 58IB civil-military officer 1st Lieutenant Jefferson Mariano
Mariano said the four NPA surrenderees are now undergoing custodial and stress debriefing before his enrollment to the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) to receive immediate welfare assistance, livelihood assistance, and incentives for the surrendered firearms.
“I’m very glad that the CNTs now realized who the real government is and I am grateful that they voluntarily surrender,” said 58IB commander Lt. Colonel Ricky Canatoy.
Canatoy said he is hoping the increase of surrender continues so that the country can now achieve sustainable peace and development.
“Your Army is encouraging other members of the NPA to abandon the armed struggle, it is high time to abandon the communist terrorist organization and avail the E-CLIP program being offered by our government,” Canatoy said. (Ben Balce)
