BACOLOD CITY – A New People’s Army couple surrendered to the Army 79th Infantry Battalion at their headquarters in Barangay Bato, Sagay City, Negros Occidental on Friday night, August 23.
LT. Col. Arnel Calaoagan, commander of Army 79th Infantry Battalion, welcomes a New People’s Army (NPA) couple who surrendered at the 79th IB headquarters in Barangay Bato, Sagay City, Negros Occidental on Friday, August 23. (Photo courtesy of 79th IB)
Capt. Dan Carlo Samoza, 79th IB civil-military operations (CMO) officer, said the rebel returnees were a 31-year-old resident of Escalante City, Negros Occidental, and his 27-year-old wife from Calatrava, Negros Occidental.
The husband was a squad leader and his wife was a finance and logistics officer of the dismantled Northern Negros Front (NNF-D).
Samoza said the couple joined the armed struggle at the age of 19, got married, and have two children aged two and five.
He said the couple decided to leave the revolutionary movement because of their children. “It’s a wake-up call for them.”
Samoza said the couple will undergo assessment to enable them to avail of benefits from the government.
Nine NPA rebels, including the couple, have surrendered to the 79th IB so far this year.
Lt. Col. Arnel Calaoagan, 79th IB commander, reiterated their call on remnants of the NNF-D to surrender peacefully and embrace a life of hope together with their respective families and supportive communities.