ILOILO CITY – Another New People’s Army rebel surrendered in Iloilo over the weekend.
He is “Jun,” a member of the Igabon Platoon of the NPA Central Front Committee on Panay Island.
He yielded to the Philippine Army 61st Infantry Battalion and formalized his surrender Nov. 7.
“We are slowing gaining peace in our area of responsibility. We thank Jun for going back to the fold of the law and eventually decided to be our partner for peace and development,” said 61st IB commander Lt. Col. Joel Benedict Batara.
According to Batara, Jun finally decided to leave the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines due to hardship and realized that he joined a meaningless fight.
Batara added that Jun also felt it was wrong for the NPA to commit atrocities not only against government forces but also civilians even during the pandemic.
Jun also turned over his arms and ammunition when he surrendered.
Jun will be a beneficiary of the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program as a rebel returnee.