FOUR members of the communist New People’s Army from Impasug-ong, Bukidnon province surrendered to the Army’s 8th Infantry Battalion on Tuesday, a military officer said today.
Lt. Col. Xerxes Trinidad, head of 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office, identified the surrenders through their aliases as Joey, 43, with his wife alias Joy-joy, 42, and alias Erik, 31, and his wife Nica, 22. Joey and Erik are brothers, who both joined the armed insurgents together.
“Our soldiers in Bukidnon rescued the two couples from the rebels,” Trinidad said.
He said the rebel couples surrendered to 8IB commanding officer Lt. Col. Edgardo Talaroc Jr., based in Bukidnon on April 28 and are now undergoing revalidation and custodial debriefing.
“With their wives, they recounted the hardships they had experienced while inside the movement,” said Trinidad.
Erik and Nica, were both from headquarter Neo, North Central Mindanao Command surrendered their caliber .45 pistol, and a homemade shotgun.
“They are too tired, hungry, and exhausted which made them decide to surrender,” said Trinidad.
Trinidad said the couples will be processed for enrollment to the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program, the government's intervention for former rebels.
“Each former rebel will receive immediate and livelihood cash assistance worth P65,000,” said Trinidad.
Meanwhile, 4ID commander Maj. Gen. Franco Nemesio Gacal welcomed the two couples as they laid down their firearms and surrendered to the government.
Gacal also lauded the 8IB troops for their continued effort in helping misled individuals who joined the armed struggle to lay down their arms and be reunited with their families.
“What happened to them is a clear manifestation that the rebels separate the bond between families. Joining the communist group is tantamount to choosing a miserable life of a broken family,” Gacal said. (Ben Balce)
