Six rebels lay down arms, including pregnant woman
- Bicolmail Web Admin
- 18 hours ago
- 3 min read
By Rhaydz B. Barcia
LEGAZPI CITY --- Tired and disillusioned, six members of the communist guerrilla movement, including a pregnant woman from the provinces of Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte, laid down their arms to return to mainstream society and the fold of the law.
Army Major Frank Roldan, spokesperson of the Army’s 9th Infantry Division, said Karen Ombao, alias Lyka, a seven-month-pregnant medical officer of Squad 1, Platoon 2, KLG1, SRC2 of the Bicol Regional Party Committee (BRPC), voluntarily surrendered her firearm to live freely with her unborn child.
“A mother’s love prevailed over false ideology after Karen Ombao, alias Lyka, seven months pregnant and a medical officer of Squad 1, Platoon 2, KLG1, SRC2, BRPC, voluntarily surrendered to the 83rd Infantry Battalion (83IB) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the municipality of Presentacion, Camarines Sur on January 27,” Roldan said.
Roldan said Karen’s surrender was the result of a successful joint inter-agency operation led by the local government of Presentacion under Mayor Jimmy Deleña, in line with the Whole-of-Nation Approach.
According to Roldan, Karen narrated the hardships and struggles she endured under the communist movement despite her delicate pregnancy, which, he said, violated her rights, protection, and safety as a pregnant woman.
Karen is currently undergoing medical and psychosocial assistance from the government as part of her reintegration process to help her start a new life.
“This proves that joint actions by the government, LGUs, AFP, PNP, communities, and other agencies are effective in encouraging our kababayans who were deceived by the enemy of the state to surrender their firearms and return to mainstream society to live freely and happily with their families,” Roldan said.
Aside from Karen, five other rebels also surrendered—three from Basud, Camarines Norte, and two from Libmanan, Camarines Sur.
The three rebels, identified by their aliases Esme, Larry, and Alen, voluntarily surrendered to personnel of the 81st Infantry Battalion, 42nd Infantry Battalion, and the PNP in Basud, Camarines Norte at around 4 p.m. on January 27, 2026.
Hours after their surrender, government forces proceeded to Barangay Salvacion, Ragay, Camarines Sur, where Esme revealed the location of rebel firearms. Composite AFP and PNP forces recovered four M16 Bushmaster rifles, magazines, and ammunition.
Subsequently, two more M16 rifles, along with magazines and ammunition, were found in a neighboring barangay near Barangay Baya after Larry disclosed their location.
In Libmanan town, two more rebels identified by the aliases Bruno and Lucky surrendered to Charlie Company of the 502nd Ready Reserve Infantry Battalion (502RRIB), the 502nd Community Defense Center (502CDC), and the Local Peace Engagement Team (LPET) on January 28.
All rebel surrenderees are currently undergoing debriefing and documentation to avail themselves of the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
Army Major General Aldwine Almase expressed gratitude to the former rebels for choosing to return to the fold of the law and rejoin mainstream society with their families.
Meanwhile, a rebel facing criminal charges was arrested in Barangay Chrysanthemum, San Pedro City, Laguna on January 26 by combined forces of the 22nd Infantry Battalion, 59th Infantry Battalion, and the PNP.
Leo Gestole, alias Bhem, a member of KLG2, SRC3, BRPC, was arrested for a charge of illegal discharge of firearms and was found in possession of a hand grenade during the operation, Roldan said.
Roldan added that Gestole is among the CPP-NPA-NDF members allegedly involved in armed encounters in Sorsogon province. He is currently under PNP custody for proper disposition.
On January 29 at around 6:30 a.m., the Philippine Army in Bicol also uncovered 13 high-powered firearms in the hinterland of Barangay Guibahoy, Lagonoy, Camarines Sur.
The weapons were recovered by joint forces of the Army’s 83rd Infantry Brigade and the 2nd Infantry Battalion. Recovered items included 12 M16 rifles, one M60 machine gun, two anti-personnel mines, magazines, and ammunition.
The firearms were transported by Philippine Air Force helicopter to the Army headquarters.
Authorities said the weapons were buried in a mountainous area identified by residents who noticed suspicious individuals frequently moving in the area. The site is one barangay away from where troops recovered firearms and ammunition in Sitio Benguet, Barangay Pinamihagan, on December 20 last year.
Army officials believe more weapons may be recovered in the coming weeks or months as community cooperation continues.
