ILOILO CITY—After participating in two consecutive clashes with the 12th Infantry Battalion (12IB) in Iloilo province, two female New People’s Army (NPA) rebels surrendered.
Maj. Cenon Pancito III, spokesperson of the Third Infantry Division (3ID), only identified the rebels by their aliases of “Alexa” and “JL”.
Alexa and JL surrendered at 12IB’s headquarters in Calinog town Saturday, August 29, with the help of a village councilor.
Pancito said they admitted to authorities that they were part of the group that engaged 12IB soldiers in skirmishes in neighboring Janiuay town last Wednesday and Friday.
The female rebels, who were under the Baloy platoon of NPA’s Central Front Committee in Panay Island, said their erstwhile comrades left them Friday when they scampered for safety during the firefight.
Government troops were in the area after receiving information that NPA rebels were again on the move, and trying to extort from local residents.
The commander of the 3ID Major General Eric Vinoya slammed the latest extortion activity, especially during the pandemic.
“They are trying to aggravate the burden of the people by extorting hard-earned money and even rice supply,” Vinoya said.