NPA returns to family after 11 years of uncertain life

By Liza Agoot / Philippine News Agency

BACK TO FAMILY. “Ka Arvin” (right), hands over to Police Corporal Rodriguez Ajochay (left), the homemade firearm he brought with him on May 19, 2021 when he surrendered to the Natonin, Mountain Province municipal police. The surrenderer said he decided to go back to his family and to the fold of the law after realizing he has spent years of uncertainty with the New People’s Army. (Photo courtesy of Natonin PNP)

BAGUIO CITY – A 56-year-old fighter of the New People’s Army (NPA) operating in Mountain Province has ended years of uncertainty by voluntarily surrendering to be with his family and children.

“Ka Arvin”, 56, of Natonin, Mountain Province, married and has three children, decided to return to the fold of the law on May 19 after finally realizing their futile cause and that he has been away from his family for years.

In the dialect, he said, “I want to live a peaceful life with my family because there is no future in the movement.”

“Ka Arvin” was recruited by the NPA some 11 years ago which he described as complicated years of his life.

"Masalimuot" (It's complicated). That is how he described his many years in the NPA movement -- running away from government forces without any certainty of the day after.

He said his decision to surrender came after learning that another member of his group surrendered to the government a week before.

“Ka Arvin” was a member of the Kilusang Lagangang Gerilya (KLG) under the Leonardo Pacsi Command that operates in Mountain Province. Upon his surrender, he also turned over a homemade firearm with 10 rounds of caliber 5.56 ammunition.

Col. Ruben Andiso, police provincial director of Mountain Province, described Ka Arvin’s surrender as a result of the continuous negotiation of the Mountain Province PNP personnel and 503rd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army with residents to convince NPA rebels to return to the fold of the law.

He said the Mt. Province PNP launched “Oplan Binnaga” (advice) which aims to attain lasting peace and strengthen public awareness on the government’s effort to get back the allegiance of people who have been misled by the NPA.

Andiso said Ka Arvin will be enrolled in the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) where he will receive cash assistance, livelihood assistance, and cash remuneration for the surrendered firearm.

The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (PNA)