ILOILO – A ranking New People’s Army (NPA) squad leader operating in the central area of Panay Island has surrendered to government authorities following a month-long negotiation led by elite police and Army units.
Alias “Jun,” 37, identified as a commanding officer and squad leader of the NPA’s Central Front under the Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay, gave himself up on Tuesday morning, June 18, to the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (SAF), Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO), and the Philippine Army’s 12th Infantry Battalion (12IB) in Barangay Tinocuan, Dueñas, Iloilo.
Police Corporal Kenneth Garingo of the SAF confirmed that the surrender occurred at 10 a.m., after sustained efforts by their unit under Captain Reymart Acabo.
“It took one month of negotiation before our surrenderee gave himself up,” Garingo said.
“Jun”, who has pending criminal cases for homicide and frustrated homicide allegedly committed in central Iloilo, is now under police custody.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Vicel Jan Garsuta, commanding officer of the 12IB, the surrender is a welcome development and the unit remains open to accepting more rebels who wish to abandon the armed struggle.
“We will ensure their safety and facilitate their reintegration,” Garsuta assured.
Brigadier General Nhel Richard Patricio, commander of the 301st Infantry Brigade, also welcomed the development, calling on remaining communist rebels to consider surrendering to avoid unnecessary bloodshed.
“Hindi na kailangan ang madugong engkwentro. Dito lang ang inyong sundalo kung gusto niyong mag-surrender,” he said.
Authorities believe the surrender of a ranking insurgent signals waning support for the NPA in Panay, as peace and development efforts continue in rural communities./PN
