ILOILO – The recent surrender of three rebels in Tubungan town would have a “big impact” in the government’s campaign to end the armed struggle, according to the Philippine Army.
“Malaki ang impact ng kanilang pag-surrender. It only shows that many rebels are dismayed kasi hindi natutupad ang promises nila,” said Philippine Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion commander Lieutenant Colonel Joel Benedict Batara.
He predicted the eventual demise of the rebel movement.
“We have the momentum to end armed struggle. They can run but they cannot hide for a long time that’s why some of them surrendered,” said Barata.
Three members of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered to the local government of Tubungan, Iloilo and to the Armed Forces of the Philippines on Dec. 26, ironically the 51st anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
The NPA is the armed wing of the CPP.
Authorities only identified the surrenderers as Michael, 25, Lanie, 21, and Maribel, 19 – residents of Tubungan who decided to give up the life in the mountains of Iloilo’s 1st District under the NPA Southern Front Committee.
Maribel said she was recruited at the age of 16. She was promised money, firearms and food.
They surrendered after a month of negotiations with Mayor Roquito Tacsagon and the 61st Infantry Battalion.
“We have been negotiating with them since November and we gave them enough time to think until they finally decided to surrender through Mayor Tacsagon. They did the right decision to go back to their family. They are now in a safe area for further interrogation,” Batara said.
He added other rebels are also under negotiation.
“Grabe ang promises ng mga rebelde sa kanila at lahat ng ‘yon ay hindi natupad. Instead they suffered hunger. They are already tired of hiding. Besides wala rin silang pera na ipapadala sa pamilya nila as what the rebels had promised,” Batara said./PN
