MILITARY troops have facilitated the voluntary surrender of a couple with two kids whom they claimed as members of the New Peoples Army (NPA) in Impasug-ong, Bukidnon, over the weekend.
In a statement, the 8th Infantry Battalion identified the former communist rebels as Alias Alay/Cans/Batcom, 28, and Alias Peme, 26.
The military said the two belong to the Section Committee 89 (SECOM 89) of North Central Regional Mindanao Command (NCMRC) and were operating in the hinterlands of Cabanglasan town. The wife was said to be the medic of the group.
The couple yielded three M16 rifles and a long magazine with ammunition.
Authorities said the couple relayed to them that the lack of food, cold, and frequent movement in the forest along with their 6-year old daughter and 4-month old son have forced them to return to the folds of the law.
"We do understand that these people are just victims of deception, agitation, and false promises inculcated by the NPA terrorists. With that in mind, we encourage them to surrender and see the efforts of the government to attain peace and it unfolds before them,"8IB commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Ronald Illana said.
Newly installed 403rd Infantry Brigade commander Colonel Edgardo De Leon, who co-chairs the Bukidnon Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) committee, has assured that the couple will be given assistance through the said program and help them reintegrate back to society.
"Alay and Peme, you made the right decision. Your children are now assured of a better future now that you have rejected violence and embraced peace. The government will assist your reintegration back to our society," De Leon said.
"To the remaining NPA terrorists who are thinking of going back to the folds of the law, I assure you, 403Bde units in Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental will help you in your enrollment to ECLIP," he added.
For his part, 4th Infantry Division commander Major General Ronald Villanueva said the communist insurgents are now heeding the call to surrender as "they have already seen the rotten system of the NPA organization."
"Good thing that this couple thought of their family's future above the NPA terrorists' failed ideology. With their decision, they will be able to experience the joy of togetherness this Christmas season, the start of a life away from chaos, hunger, and fear of losing their lives in an encounter with the government troops who are continuously conducting security operations," Villanueva said.