ILOILO City – Two New People’s Army (NPA) leaders surrendered to the Armed Forces of the Philippines on July 19 after years of armed struggle and starvation in the mountains.
Ka Aguila, 51, from Calinog, Iloilo was the team leader of the Special Partisan Unit (SPARU) of the NPA Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay while Ka Baby, 33, of Tubungan, Iloilo was a political guide and medical officer of Squad 2, Suyak Platoon, Southern Front Kometing Rehiyon-Panay.
“The two made the right decision. Their armed struggle would bring nothing but suffering and death,” said Lieutenant Colonel Jose Benedict Batara of the Philippine Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion.
Ka Aguila also surrendered a rifle and bullets while Baby, a rifle, .38 revolver and ammunition.
“We are happy they realized na walang magandang buhay sa bundok kasi tago sila ng tago, hindi nila makapiling ang kanilang pamilya,” said Batara.
The surrender of Aguila and Baby brought to 137 the total number of rebels in Panay Island who surrendered since 2016.
In an interview, Aguila said he had been an NPA for 36 years but decided to return to the fold of the government due to constant hunger and the failed promise of their leaders of a monthly salary of P5,000.
“Grabe nga gutom kag kakapoy ang amon naagyan sa sulod sang hublag. Daw wala katapusan nga pag-antus. Indi namon makaupod amon pamilya kag sige lang kami panago sa kabukiran,” said Aguila.
Aguila said he was 15 years old when he was recruited to the NPA. His role was agaw armas (seizing firearms) from policemen.
“Wala sang nadulot nga kaayohan sa bukid. Obra namon pang-ayo-ayo sa pumuluyo para makakaon,” saidAguila.
Batara said the two surrenderers would benefit from the Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integrated Program (E-CLIP) of the government.
Under the E-CLIP, rebel surrenders are given an immediate cash assistance of P15,000, P50,000 worth livelihood assistance, housing, legal assistance, and PhilHealth enrolment, among others.
“The government has lots of programs to rebels who surrender,” Batara said./PN
