BY JEN BAYLON and RUBY SILUBRICO
ILOILO – Wishing to reunite with their child and live in peace, a couple suspected of being members of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered to the Tubungan municipal police.
Identified by their aliases “Ka Nonoy” and “Ka Bebe”, the pair were reportedly a supply officer and a medical officer of the NPA’s Central Front Committee, Jose Percival Estocada Command, Baloy Platoon, Squad 2 in Panay Island.
Their surrender marked an end to their over seven-year involvement with the rebel group.
It followed three months of negotiations initiated by the relatives of “Ka Nonoy”, who urged the couple to leave the NPA and return to mainstream society.
The couple themselves cited their desire for peace and the difficulties faced – such as hunger – while being part of the group as reasons for their surrender.
According to Lieutenant Colonel J-Jay Javines, spokesperson of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID), the central and southern fronts of the NPA in Panay Island were weakening that’s why more rebels are surrendering.
From January to October of this year, 77 rebels surrendered, 3ID records showed.
The central front covered towns in central Iloilo and Tapaz in Capiz province while the southern front covered towns in the 1st District of Iloilo and the province of Antique.
“We continue our offensive operations against the rebels until they would all surrender,” said Javines.
Police Colonel Ronaldo Palomo, director of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO), lauded the couple’s decision and encouraged other NPA members to surrender as well.
He highlighted the government’s reintegration support through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), emphasizing the chance for a peaceful life.
“Yield now and have the opportunity to live peacefully and spend Christmas at home with your families,” he said.
As an initial support measure, the Tubungan local government unit’s Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office provided the couple with food packs and a kitchen kit.
Mayor Roquito Tacsagon assured the couple of further assistance to facilitate their reintegration into society./PN
