BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – A squad leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered to authorities in Himalayan City, Negros Occidental.
Colonel Leonardo Pena, commander of the Philippine Army’s 302nd Infantry Brigade, identified the rebel returnee as Jerryd Gargoles, also known in the underground movement as “Sargent” and “Ka Angel.”
Gargoles was the team leader of Squad 1, Regional Strike Force (RSF) of an NPA Regional Committee operating in the Negros provinces, Cebu, Bohol, and Siquijor.
As a squad leader, Gargoles led his team’s assault against government troops and installations.
In August last year, the NPA regional committee in which Gargoles was a part of was already facing collapse following the arrest of its six leaders.
Pena said Gargoles voluntarily submitted himself to the troops of the 302nd IB 16th Scout Ranger Company (16SRC).
He turned over a .45-caliber pistol, a KG-9 .9mm-caliber pistol, two magazines with 28 rounds of ammunition, and various documents with “essential value” supposedly to determine the plans of the NPAs in the area.
Pena welcomed Gargoles in a simple ceremony at the 302nd IB camp in Barangay Carabalan.
He said he was glad that the young combatant realized there were better opportunities for him outside the communist movement where he would “only go astray.”
The military commander commended the 16th Scout Ranger Company for convincing the young NPA squad leader to give up armed struggle.
“We encourage the remaining members of the terrorist group to heed the government’s call for peace. Our relentless effort to hunt you down will surely give you a miserable life,” he added./PN
