By Jason De Asis
CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga – Seven communist rebels have surrendered in Central Luzon in the past two weeks, the Police Regional Office (PRO 3) reported on Thursday.
Five of the surrenderees were from Nueva Ecija province while one was from Aurora and another from Pampanga.
“Every surrender, every withdrawal of support is a decisive step toward lasting peace,” PRO 3 Director, Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo, said in a statement.
“These former insurgents have chosen the path of hope over fear, progress over conflict. Their courage to break free from the chains of deception is proof that our relentless peace-building efforts are making a real difference,” she said.
PRO 3 said five rebels affiliated with Alyansa ng Mamamayang Nagkakaisa-Fort Magsaysay Military Reservation (ALMANA-FMMR) turned themselves in to police and military personnel in Nueva Ecija on Feb. 6. They were identified only as “Dodong,” “Boyet,” “Amay,” “Ino” and “Isto.”
Police said the five had disclosed that they were recruited to the communist movement by a certain Tom Guevarra in 2015.
Meanwhile, on Feb. 11, a rebel identified only as “Glaiza” surrendered to authorities in Maria Aurora town, Aurora province.
“Personnel from the Aurora 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC), in coordination with the Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU) and Maria Aurora Municipal Police Station (MPS), facilitated her voluntary surrender,” PRO 3 said.
The 37-year-old rebel, who turned over an unserviceable .38 caliber revolver with no serial number, was previously affiliated with Iskwad Tersera, Bagong Hukbong Bayan.
On the same day, a police operation in Pampanga province resulted in the surrender of a 56-year-old insurgent identified as alias “Ben,” a member of Alyansa ng mga Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luzon – Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (AMGL-KMP). He surrendered a 40mm M203 grenade launcher ammunition to authorities.
Fajardo assured that the Philippine National Police remains committed to supporting the reintegration of former rebels and helping them transition into productive members of society through livelihood assistance and other reintegration programs. (PNA)
