ONE of the three active members of the communist New Peoples’ Army (NPA) who voluntarily surrendered to military authorities in Bukidnon bared and led soldiers to the location of the rebels’ arms storehouse on Sunday at the boundary of Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon.
Army’s 4th Infantry Division public affairs chief Captain Al Anthony Pueblas said the NPA guerilla, whose identity was kept for security reasons, decided to give up rebellion through the prodding of his family.
“As an expression of goodwill a former communist NPA leader previously surrendered to 58IB reveals the location of three high powered firearms on June 21, 2020,” said Pueblas.
Several days after his surrender, the ex-NPA rebel, alias Dino guided soldiers to a site where rebels store their firearms. Government troops recovered three high powered rifles, ammunition, and anti-personnel mines at the site, according to Pueblas.
In coordination with the Army's 8th Infantry Battalion assigned in Impasugong, Bukidnon, a joint operation was conducted to retrieve the arms cache.
Pueblas said the troops recovered two AK 47 rifles, an M16 rifle, and two Magazines for AK47 and serviceable ammunition.
“In addition to the previously reported alias Dino accumulated a total of five high powered firearms from his group which further degrade their capability,” said Pueblas.
Army’s 58IB commander Lt. Col. Ricky L. Canatoy lauded the former rebels for their aspirations to bring peace and bright future for their family.
"Sa tabang sa mga former rebels, nakit-an namo ang cache sa armas nga mahimo nilang magamit sa pagpahigayon og mga mapintas na binuhatan bisan unsang orasUg usa pa, dili magduha-duha ang mga kasundaloan ug kanunay andam nga gamiton ang puwersa batok sa mga hulga sa grupo nga magpadayon batok sa gobyerno,” Canatoy said.
Canatoy said that it is evidence that a rebel can be changed. He also said that he was grateful that the rebel that once our worst enemy is now our partner in attaining just and lasting peace. (Ben Balce)
