BACOLOD City – A 16-year-old lass turned herself in to the Philippine Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental on June 2.
She said she was a member of the New People’s Army (NPA).
Missing her childhood life made alias “Monica” surrender to the government.
“I am tired. Living in the mountains is hard,” she said.
Alias “Monica” said she belonged to Squad 1, Central Negros 2 led by Ka Karding of the Southwest Front Committee Command that operated in Himamaylan, Negros Occidental.
She was recruited together with childhood friend alias “Alyssa” by Ka Prior on Aug. 10, 2020.
According to “Monica”, since minors new to the NPA were not yet allowed to carry firearms, she would do chores left in the house of a “masa” or supporter to serve as their cook in every operation in the mountains.
After nine months, “Monica” said she realized there was no future in the communist insurgency movement.
Last month she asked permission from her commander to go home for a while because she missed her family. She was allowed to go home.
Her family took the opportunity to encourage her to surrender to the government. They sought help from the 94th Infantry Battalion./PN
