A YOUNG New People’s Army (NPA) rebel, due to hardships and frustrations, surrendered to government authorities in Zamboanga Sibugay, the military said Saturday, May 25.

Lieutenant Colonel Don Templonuevo, Army’s 44th Infantry Battalion commander, identified the NPA surrenderer only as Ka Jason, who surrendered to them with an M-14 rifle on Thursday, May 23, in Ipil town, Zanboanga Sibugay.

Templonuevo said Jason, 21, decided to surrender and to be with his family after two years of hurdling unexplained hardships in the mountains of Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga del Sur and the false promises of the NPA leaders.

He said Jason was only 19 when recruited by the NPA in his hometown in Ipil.

Brigadier General Bagnus Gaerlan, Army’s 102nd Infantry Brigade commander, said they will assist Jason to avail of the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-Clip) for him to become productive citizen.

Gaerlan said the surrender of Jason has brought to 32 the number of NPA rebels who surrendered to the government since January this year.

Meanwhile, Brigadier General Roberto Ancan, Army’s 1st Infantry Division commander said the campaign against the NPA and other threat groups will be relentless in order to attain a just and lasting peace in the area of operation of his command. (SunStar Philippines)