NPA supply officer surrenders, yields firearms in Aurora
By Jason De Asis / Philippine News Agency
BALER, Aurora – A supply officer of the Aurora Provincial Committee of the New People’s Army (NPA) voluntarily surrendered to the Army’s 91st Infantry “Sinagtala” Battalion (91IB) on Monday.
The 29-year-old surrenderer, "Ka Arnold", was presented to Lt. Col. Reandrew P. Rubio, commander of 91IB, at its headquarters in Barangay Calabuanan in this capital town of Aurora.
Rubio said the surrendered NPA officer yielded one M1 Carbine with magazine and one round of ammunition, and a hand grenade.
Ka Arnold, who is an Agta, said he was tired of fighting the military as he often experienced sleeping for only two hours at night due to constant running and transferring locations in the mountains.
“Kumakain po kami ng munggo sa loob ng isang lingo at nalilipasan ng gutom. Gusto ko na pong magbagong buhay upang makapiling ang aking tatlong anak (We were eating mongo for one whole week and we starved. I want to change my life to be with my three children),” the surrenderer said as he narrated the hardship he experienced for two years while with the insurgent group under the leadership of a certain Ka Isaac/Abraham/Peter.
He said they experienced starvation caused by the dwindling support from the masses.
“The support of the masses is continuously decreasing and weakening. They returned to the fold of the law. They believe in the goodness efforts being conducted by the government and that is the reason why I decided to return to the folds of the law. I want a peaceful live with my family as the yuletide season is coming,” the former rebel said.
Rubio said that the surrender of Ka Arnold is manifestation that the government’s efforts on winning against communist terrorists through focused military operations and Community Support Program (CSP) activities are effective.
“Ka Arnold will avail the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP). I am calling other NPA members to lay down their arms, surrender, and be with their loved ones as the breeze of Christmas is already in the air. His surrender to government forces, described as 'best Christmas ever' as he will reunite with his family this holiday season,” he said.
Rubio likewise said the government is willing to help and support other NPA terrorists who want to return to the fold of the law.
“We will give them livelihood and more trainings are lined up to help the former rebels acquire new skills for employment,” he added. (PNA)