ILOILO City – Four former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered to the Philippine Army and Philippine National Police (PNP) for fear of massive military operations.
Alias “Martin,” 30, of Barangay Igtuble, Tubungan Iloilo, and a former member of the dismantled Southern Panay Front, Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay (SPF, KR-P), yielded to the San Remigio Municipal Police Station (MPS) in Antique on May 30.
He also voluntarily surrendered his rifle grenade.
Lieutenant Colonel J-Jay Javines, spokesperson for the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID), said Martin’s surrender was facilitated by the police and the Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion (61IB).
San Remigio police, however, said that Martin was served with an arrest warrant for the crime of murder.
On May 31, alias “En-En/Era,” 23, of Barangay Poblacion, Bingawan, Iloilo and a former squad medic of the SPF, KR-P, also surrendered to the San Remigio MPS through the joint efforts of the 61IB and Antique Police Provincial Office.
On the same day, alias “Jean/Bodo/Stick”, 35, of Leon, Iloilo, and his live-in partner alias “Ivy/Bebe,” 23, of Maasin town, voluntarily submitted themselves to the 61IB in Camp Monteclaro, Barangay Igtuba, Miag-ao.
Bodo has pending cases at the Regional Trial Court for a string of criminal charges, including murder and frustrated murder.
Aside from the series of surrenders, a cache of war materials was seized following the discovery of an abandoned communist terrorist group (CTG) harboring site in Barangay Culyat, Valderrama, Antique, on May 31.
Also, in the same area, the troops of the 82nd Infantry Battalion were conducting a combat operation when they found the lair, resulting in the seizure of an anti-personnel mine, an anti-tank mine, a machine gun bipod, a projector, a charger, a SIM card, medical books, medical paraphernalia, approximately 80 meters of rolled wire, and receipts.
Major General Marion Sison, 3ID commander, commended the Army troops and the PNP counterparts for their collaborative efforts that led to the surrender of the remnants of SPF, KR-P, and the confiscation of CTG war items.
“Collaboration, coordination, and cooperation between the Army and the PNP are crucial aspects of our anti-insurgency efforts, ensuring their seamless and effective execution. The series of surrenders and the successful seizure of the CTG war and medical materials in Antique and Iloilo provinces are tangible outcomes of the strong partnership forged between the Army and the PNP,” said Sison.
He added: “These gains are further bolstered by the unwavering support of the people of Panay. Together, these actions underscore our collective commitment to establishing a state of Stable Internal Peace and Security not only in Panay but also across Western and Central Visayas.”
Sison also called on the remaining members of the CTG in Panay to take a cue from their comrades who have chosen the path of peace./PN
