ILOILO – A squad leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) operating in the southern part of Panay Island surrendered to the police due to hardships living in the mountain and his traumatic experience during a military operation in their hideout on Dec. 1, 2021.
Police Colonel Gilbert Gorero, director of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO), identified the surrenderer as 36-year-old alias “Banban” / “Tatang” of Tubungan, Iloilo, team leader of Squad 1 of the Mt. Napulak Command of the Southern Front Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-NPA.
The squad’s areas of operation covered portions of Miag-ao, San Joaquin and Igbaras towns in Iloilo province and Antique.
“He was one of those CTG (communist terrorist group) that was the subject of a military operation in Miag-ao, Iloilo on Dec. 1. It was very traumatic experience, he said, and he wanted to have a safe and peaceful life,” Gorero said.
After that operation, the surrenderer joined other NPA members who went into hiding but decided to leave the armed movement on Dec. 29, 2021, almost six years since he left his home to be part of the underground movement.
Gorero said “Tatang” was a farm laborer and was exposed to the NPA movement by attending caucuses. He was attracted by the promise to have a better life “should they win their cause.”
However, for all the years that he was in the rebel movement, “Tatang” felt nothing but fear.
He surrendered on Jan. 4. It was facilitated by several civilians, Gorero said.
“It was his own decision. He also would like to avail himself of the opportunity being offered by the government under Executive Order No. 70 (Whole of Nation Approach) like the ECLIP (Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program),” the police official said.
“We are looking forward that he could convince the others to surrender. His surrender is a manifestation indeed that the government is serious in providing a better future for our people, especially the former rebels,” Gorero added.
The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
The Anti-Terrorism Council also formally designated the National Democratic Front as a terrorist organization on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and separate part” of the CPP-NPA that was created in April 1973. (PNA)
