2 NPA rebels surrender in Masbate

By Celso Amo LEGAZPI CITY --- Two New People’s Army(NPA) young rebels surrendered to the authorities after their former comrades who already surrendered earlier were able to convince them of the futility of fighting a revolutionary war in the island province of Masbate. Robert Blanca y Alvarado alias Ka Jayson, 24, male, single and a resident of Barangay Balete in Aroroy, Masbate and Jeson Mondelo y Valencia alias Ka Arnold, 18, male, single and resident of Barangay Quiñangan Diotay in Balud, Masbate personally gave themselves up to elements of Milagros police led by SPO1 Tyrone King Eser, Police Intelligence Batallion led by SPO2 Jose Almero including elements from Alpha Company 2nd Infantry Batallion of the Army’s 9th Infantry Division on September 30 at about 8:30 a.m. at Sitio Gutusan in Barangay Cayabon in Milagros, Masbate. Government authorities said rebel returnees were able to convince the two they will still have a future if they leave the revolutionary movement. The two young communist terrorists were active members of Kilusang Larangan Gerilya (KLG) Norte under the command of Sisoy Rosero alyas Ka Star. They brought with them two improvised explosive devises or Molotov bomb, four pieces of empty magazines three for M16 rifle, two short and one long magazine for M-14 rifle, a shotgun with two live ammunitions, an AM/FM radio and subversive communists propaganda materials. Brig. Gen. Greg Almerol, commanding general of the 903rd Brigade based in Castilla, Sorsogon which has internal security jurisdiction in the provinces of Masbate, Sorsogon and Albay, admitted there has been an increase in the NPA’s tactical offensives to project a negative picture of continuing destabilization in the Bicol Region. “This could be a part of the Red October plot by the Communist Party of the Philippines,” said Almerol. He cited the wounding of two militias during an encounter with NPA rebels in Guinobatan, Albay last Saturday, the straffing of police mobile force in Mobo, Masbate Monday evening, as well as the Community Police Assistance Center in Masbate City. “But our troops are ready to conduct combat operation against them wherever they are sighted in our area of operation,” said Almerol. Three New People’s Army(NPA) rebels were killed Thursday afternoon during an encounter with government troops in Bulan, Sorsogon. Nobody was reported hurt or injured on the government troops. Two M-16 and an M-14 rifles were recovered at the encounter site. During a briefing at the Regional Peace and Order Council(RPOC) full council meeting at the Legazpi City Convention Center, it was bared that the Bicol Regional Party Committee operates in five Kilusan sa Platons in Bicol numbering 237 combat regulars and 675 militia supporters. They have conducted 15 mass actions including six liquidation. Ariel Bernardo, National Intelligence Coordinating Council (NICA) director for Bicol said the communist insurgency in the Philippines is now 50 years old and still there is no end in sight as President Duterte cancelled the peace talks with the Communist Party December last year. “The peace talks before had been exploited by the top cadres of the CPP-NPA-NDF to recruit new members and recover lost areas since they are immune from government arrest,” said Bernardo. “They also demand from the government to release captured high ranking rebels as members of the peace talk,” he added. Bernando bats for a localized peace talk with the Bicol Regional Party Committee as well as provide jobs for communist rebels who want to live a new life.