By Malu Manar
KIDAPAWAN CITY – Three alleged members of the New Peoples’ Army (NPA) surrendered to the Army in Columbio, Sultan Kudarat for fear they would perish in the mountains for lack of food.
A certain Alex, 47, and his 19-year old daughter Pia, and another 16-year old girl yielded at an Army detachment in Poblacion, Columbio, on April 27.
They were later turned over to the main headquarters of the Army’s 39th Infantry Battalion in Makilala town in North Cotabato.
The rebels were residents of Barangay Kanibong, Tulunan, an area highly influenced by the NPA guerillas, based on the reports of the Army’s intelligence unit.
They told the Army the NPA Front 72, where they allegedly belonged, has failed to provide them food and other necessities in the mountains of Sultan Kudarat.
They also said they had difficult time asking for food from residents in the area as everyone was already feeling the pinch caused by strict quarantine implemented due to the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
For fear that will just die of hunger in the mountains, Alex, his daughter and their companion decided to submit themselves to the authority of the soldiers.
The Army in Columbio town turned over the rebels to the 39th IB in Makilala where they will undergo custodial debriefing and tactical interrogation.