ILOILO City – A 20-year-old lad surrendered to the Philippine Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion (61IB) over the weekend.
He said he was a New People’s Army (NPA) member and was present in the rebel group’s recent encounter with government troops in Miag-ao, Iloilo.
The young man was a resident of Miag-ao and was accompanied by his mother and barangay officials during the surrender.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Joel Benedict Batara of the 61IB, the lad was a member of the NPA’s Suyak Platoon, Southern Front Committee-Panay.
“He joined the rebels in February this year. He was fetching water when armed men approached him and offered an education scholarship if he went with them,” said Batara.
The young man accepted the offer thinking he would be able to continue his studies.
“But he and other recruits were surprised to be handed out guns for tactical offensives against government troops,” said Batara.
The young man told the Army he participated in the NPA’s attack on government forces in Sitio Anoy, Barangay Cabalaunan, Miag-ao on April 18.
“He was assigned as a perimeter security. But when he had the chance, he escaped from the group, leaving behind his firearm. He went home straight,” said Batara.
In that encounter, soldiers overran an NPA recruitment and training camp. One rebel was killed while seven others were captured, including a 14-year-old lad.
Four more rebels were arrested in a hot pursuit operation.
Soldiers proceeded to Barangay Cabalaunan after having been informed by concerned residents that armed men were in the area, according to 3ID spokesperson Army Captain Cenon Pancito III.
For 40 minutes they exchanged fire with some 49 rebels until the insurgents retreated./PN
