Successive NPA surrenders in Bicol signal positive response to government’s peace call

By Ana-Liza S. Macatangay

LEGAZPI CITY --- A series of surrenders by members of the New People’s Army (NPA) was recorded in Bicol throughout January, signaling increasing support for the government’s localized peace initiatives.

Two former members of the communist terrorist group voluntarily surrendered to the Local Peace Engagement Team (LPET) in Libmanan, Camarines Sur.

Libmanan Mayor Edelson Marfil welcomed the surrenderees, together with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the 9th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, Charlie Company of the Regional Reserve Infantry Battalion (RRIBn), the 502nd Community Defense Center (CDC), the 5th Regional Community Defense Group (5RCDG), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and other local government agencies.

One of the surrenderees, identified as “Ka Bruno,” said he could no longer endure the hardships of living in hiding and fighting for what he described as a cause with no clear direction.

“Naranasan ko ang sobrang hirap sa buhay kan NPA kaya ako po ay boluntaryong nag surrender para magbagong buhay. Hinihikayat man ako kan mga aki ko na bumaba, mga pamilya ko. Sa panahon ng pagkilos ko halos sakripispyo ang nararamdaman ko- nakikipagpaban na mayon ng patutunguhan kaya nagkusa mag surrender para magbagong buhay,” ‘Ka Bruno’ said in an interview.

(I experienced extreme hardship in the NPA, which is why I voluntarily surrendered to start a new life. My children and family have been urging me to return. During my time in the movement, all I felt was sacrifice—fighting for something that had no direction. That’s why I decided to surrender and change my life.)

As initial assistance for their reintegration, Marfil personally provided financial aid to help them begin a new chapter as peaceful, responsible, and productive members of the community.

The activity forms part of the government’s continuing localized peace engagement and whole-of-nation approach aimed at achieving lasting peace, order, and unity through collaboration among various sectors.

Ka Bruno also appealed to his former comrades to surrender and take advantage of the government’s reintegration programs.

“Doon po sa dati kong pag iriba na yaon pa ngunyan, nagkikilos pa, kung pwede na kamong sumuko na ta mayo man kitang patutunguhan, herak man kan satuyang buhay, kan pamilya ta, madisgrasya man sana kita. Nakikipaglaban kita na mayo man sanang padudumanan ang satuyang buhay. Mas magayon na sumuko na kamu, magbagong buhay, sumama na sa programa ng gobyerno,” he said in vernacular.

(We have no future there. Our lives and our families are at risk. We are fighting for something that leads nowhere. It is better to surrender now, change your life, and join the government’s program.)

More surrenderees

Before the end of January, a pregnant NPA medical officer also surrendered to the 83rd Infantry Battalion in Presentacion, Camarines Sur.

The 9th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office or DPAO, led by Major Frank Roldan, confirmed that alias “Ka Lyka,” who is seven months pregnant, was a member of Squad 1, Platoon 2, Komiteng Larangang Guerilla 1 (KLG1), Sub-Regional Committee 2 (SRC2), under the Bicol Regional Party Committee (BRPC).

On Jan. 27, three more NPA members surrendered to the 81st Infantry Battalion in Basud, Camarines Norte. In coordination with the 42nd Infantry Battalion and the PNP, authorities received the aliases “Ka Esme,” “Larry,” and “Alen,” all members of KLG2, SRC2 of the BRPC.

“Ka Alen” admitted he had grown weary of living in hiding, while “Ka Esme” said unity and cooperation are more important than armed struggle.

“Ang hirap na dinadanas ng sambayanang Pilipino ay hindi naman rason para lumaban sa gobyerno. Ang dapat pala dyan, tayo-tayo ay magtulungan. Kaya ang panawagan ko sa mga nagbabalak na ma re recruit pa ng NPA, napakahirap. Kahit pakaisipin ninyo ng kahit sampung beses, talagang magsisisi talaga,” Ka Esme said.

(The hardships faced by the Filipino people are not a reason to fight the government. What we truly need is to help one another. I call on those planning to join the NPA to think ten times over. You will really regret it.)

Lt. Col. Lineco Basas, commanding officer of the 81st Infantry Battalion, said former rebels who surrendered to the government have contributed to improving security in the provinces of Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte. He added that the information provided by the former NPAs has been valuable to their battalion in strengthening security operations.

The Local Peace Engagement Team continues to encourage remaining NPA members to return to the fold of the law. The Army and local government units assured that reintegration programs and support remain open to those who wish to start anew and become part of a peaceful and progressive society. (With a report from DPAO/MFRoldan/PIA Bicol)