More communist rebels give up armed struggle in N.Luzon

February 24, 2018 Provincial

BAGUIO CITY – Three more communist rebels gave up to authorities in Ilocos Sur over the weekend in the continuing deluge of rebel surrenderees in Northern Luzon.
Only on Sunday, three communist guerillas, whose names were withheld by the military to stay from being targeted for liquidation by their former comrades, surrendered to the Philippine Army’s 81st Infantry Battalion at its headquarters in Sta. Cruz, Ilocos Sur.
Soldiers’ persistent efforts led to the trio’s abandoning the armed struggle, Lt. Col. Charles DZ Castillo said, adding, “Ka Manoy” surrendered with his caliber 30 Springfield M1 Garand rifle bearing serial number 1626763.
“Ka Manoy” is a member of the NPA group operating in the tri-boundaries of Abra, Mountain Province and Ilocos Sur.
An NPA auxilliary force “Militiang Bayan” (MB) named only as ”Ka Kaloy” surrendered with a Colt M16A1 rifle with defaced serial number and one (1) short magazine.
Along with “Ka Kaloy” was “Ka Kara” who also surrendered with another caliber 30 Springfield M1 Garand rifle with defaced serial number.
Both “Ka Kaloy” and “Ka Kara” were “Militia ng Bayan” utilized by the NPA group in Tubo, Abra.
All three surrenderees are residents of Abra.
This year, the 81st Infantry Battalion hiked its effort in assisting former rebels in claiming assistance from the government.
Only last January 15, seven former rebels who surrendered during the 4th quarter of 2017 were awarded their Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) benefits reaching at least P691,000 at the Ilocos Sur Provincial Capitol in Vigan City.
Since February 2017, at least 22 surrenderees have turned themselves in to the 81st Infantry Battalion.
Major General Felimon Santos, commander of the 7th Infantry Division said that the snowballing deluge of NPA rebels coming down from their lairs in the mountains in Northern Luzon could be traced to the persistent efforts of soldiers enjoining them to instead abandon fighting the government and join efforts for reforms via peaceful means instead.
While Brigadier General Henry Robinson Jr, commander of the 702nd Infantry Brigade, said that the growing number of NPA surenderees that received the surrenderee integration program of the government “is a good indicator that the NPA has no more reason to rebel against the government since the latter provided much for their reintegration to the mainstream of society.” ACE ALEGRE / ABN