SICK and tired of running from government troops, three mid-level officials and 21 other Communist Terrorist Group members decided to surrender to a formal ceremony at the headquarters of the 94th Infantry Battalion at Barangay Tambo in Ayungon town, Negros Oriental over the weekend.
Brigadier General Inocencio Pasaporte, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, said the officials who surrendered included a vice squad leader, a platoon medic and a head of their militia unit or their speed line force.
Pasaporte said these rebels were part of the Central Negros 2 based in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental.
He said that some of those who surrendered also exposed their darkest experience with their former colleagues including sexual harassments and abandonment when they are ill.
Aside from being tired of running away from the soldiers, these former rebels are also hungry and have already experienced fatigue, Pasaporte added.
“Seeing their past comrades enjoying the benefits of their surrender, made them realize the governments sincerity in giving them a second chance to be reunited with their families and start a peaceful and meaningful life,” the top military official in the Negros Island noted.
For his part, Lt. Col. Van Donald L Almonte, 94IB Commander, thanked the surrenderees for trusting the Mandirigma troopers as he assured them that they will help them process their Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) benefits and other government programs including livelihood and half-way houses.
During their surrender ceremony, the former rebels took oath of allegiance to the government and was followed by the burning the flags of the Communist People of the Philippines -New People’s Army-National Democratic Front.
They likewise condemned their former colleague’s deception, lies and propaganda.
It can be recalled that on July 2, this year, 19 NPAs also surrendered to 94IB and have already availed cash and educational assistance from the Local Government of Kabankalan City, Himamaylan City and the Province of Negros Occidental.
Meanwhile, Major General Benedict Arevalo, 3rd Infantry Division Commander, said that the surrender of the 24 NPAs is a clear manifestation that the communist NPA terrorists morale is low and their ranks are crumbling down as most of their red fighters now choose to surrender to be reunited with their families.
“We are happy that you have returned to the government (fold), because fighting in a worthless armed struggle without a slim chance of victory is nonsense,” Arevalo said.